Emmerdale star breaks for yoga

Emmerdale actress Leah Bracknell has announced she is taking a break from the ITV show to qualify as a yoga teacher.

10:25 25 March 2005

Emmerdale actress Leah Bracknell has announced she is taking a break from the ITV show to qualify as a yoga teacher.

Bracknell, who plays lesbian vet Zoe Tate in the show, will depart from our screens this autumn as part of a "dramatic" storyline.

But the 40-year-old mother of two is set to return to the Dales after a break of around nine months.

"I will greatly miss everyone at Emmerdale but I am looking forward to spending some time with my family and having the opportunity to pursue other projects," said Bracknell.

"I will also be finishing my teaching diploma in yoga which is something I am passionate about," added the star, who released an exercise video last year.

Commenting on Bracknell's departure, Emmerdale series producer Kath Beedles said: "Leah is an exceptional actress and has made a huge contribution to Emmerdale's ongoing success. We wish her all the best for her well-earned break and look forward to welcoming her back in the future."

Emmerdale bosses remain tight-lipped about how Bracknell will leave the soap, but having played Zoe Tate for 15 years, the actress has been at the centre of some of the show's most explosive storylines.

Over recent years alone, Zoe has had a lesbian fling with Charity Dingle, a schizophrenic breakdown and fallen pregnant with Scott Windsor's baby.