Amanda Donohue quits Emmerdale for pastures new

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 06:16 EST, 25 July 2010

Emmerdale star Amanda Donohoe is quitting the Dales after nearly two years.

The 46-year-old, who made her name in Castaway and went on to play CJ in LA Law in the Nineties, was a surprise arrival in the soap.

As killer mum, Natasha Wylde, she will film her final scenes later this year but show bosses will not reveal how she makes her exit.

Moving on: Amanda Donohoe is leaving Emmerdale after two years in the dramatic role of killer Natasha Wylde

Moving on: Amanda Donohoe is leaving Emmerdale after two years in the dramatic role of killer Natasha Wylde

A source close to Donohoe told the Daily Star Sunday: 'Amanda has had a brilliant time at Emmerdale but decided that the time was right to leave.

'She told them a few weeks back and they're working on the best exit for Natasha.

'Her current storyline has been the biggest of the year and was always going to reach a gripping climax.It's just going to happen a little sooner than bosses had planned,' he added.

Tough role: Natasha Wylde [Amanda Donohoe) is confronted Nathan Wylde (Lyndon Osbourne) in the woods close to where she buried her husband Mark

Tough role: Natasha Wylde [Amanda Donohoe) is confronted Nathan Wylde (Lyndon Osbourne) in the woods close to where she buried her husband Mark

'Amanda will be sad to go but after two years she decided that she wanted to do something else.'

She is not the first to use Emmerdale to give her career a boost. Patsy Kensit, who played Sadie King from 2004-2006, Lorraine Chase (Steph Stokes 2002-06) and former Page 3 girl Linda Lusardi (Carrie Nicholls 2007-08) have all featured down the years.

Donohoe arrive with her on-screen husband, played by Mark Caulfield, in October 2008.

Young vamp: Amanda Donohoe as Lucy Irvine and Oliver Reed as Gerald Kingsland in the 1987 movie Castaway

Young vamp: Amanda Donohoe as Lucy Irvine and Oliver Reed as Gerald Kingsland in the 1987 movie Castaway

He had been leading a double life which was revealed when his wife Faye turned up in the village thinking he was dead.

As the couple prepared to run away, Wylde confronted them and then discovered her daughter Maisie was having a relationship with Faye's son Ryan.

The prospect of the half-brother and sister sleepig together sent Mark over the edge and went off to commit suicide with a shotgun in the woods.

Wylde managed to persuade him not to pull the trigger - and then did it herself.

The body will be discovered and the possibility exists that Wylde's final scenes will be shot as she is sent to prison.

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