Emmerdale fans said their goodbyes to Priya Sharma after her emotional exit from The Dales, 12 years on since joining the show.
The character, played by Fiona Wade, who most recently had a huge scare when her ex David tried to kidnap their daughter Amba after hearing of her move to London, had a goodbye party at The Woolpack on Friday’s episode.
It comes after the soap’s fanbase all said the same thing that her storyline out of the show was rushed.
Goodbye: Emmerdale fans said their goodbyes to Priya Sharma after her emotional exit from The Dales, 12 years on since joining the show
During the episode, Priya spent time with loved ones in the pub where they enjoyed snacks and drinks ahead of her departure.
But her beloved dad Rishi, who has not taken the news of her move well, was absent from the event.
She left the party to get him to join in on the fun, and an emotional conversation ensued in his kitchen as he prepared some food.
Leaving: The character, played by Fiona Wade, had a goodbye party at The Woolpack on Friday’s episode
Off we go: During the episode, Priya spent time with loved ones in the pub where they enjoyed snacks and drinks ahead of her departure
Priya reassured her dad that she will return to The Dales to see him and he can easily do the same and join her in London, where she is heading for her new job.
He seems to feel more at ease after their conversation and later joins everyone else who see Priya off while she packs the car up before her drive down south.
In her last conversation with her dad before getting in the car, Rishi asks his daughter: ‘Stay in touch yeah?’
And Priya says: ‘Course I will. Some things never change. I love you Dad.’
Coming back: Priya reassures her dad that she will return to The Dales to see him and he can easily do the same and join her in London, where she is heading for her new job
See you: It is an emotional goodbye for everyone as they wave off Priya before she heads to London
It is an emotional goodbye for everyone as they wave off Priya while she drives away.
Fans said their own farewell through their social media posts of the moment, with one writing on Twitter: ‘Forever loved, forever our favourite and forever our Priya. We will miss you so much.’
Another penned: ‘Sad to see Priya go on Emmerdale, she is a character synonymous with the time I really got into Emmerdale and has had some important storylines over the years.’
Someone else added: ‘I like Priya I’m going to miss her.’
Similarly, a fourth wrote: ‘Aww bye Priya! #Emmerdale.’
Another said: ‘I’ll miss Priya and Rishi’s bond so much #Emmerdale.’
Not happy: Fans said their own farewell through their social media posts of the moment, with one writing on Twitter: ‘Forever loved, forever our favourite and forever our Priya’
But some were quick to comment on their feelings on how quick the storyline was regarding her exit – and the quality of it.
‘Priya deserved better than this storyline. #Emmerdale’, someone wrote.
A second said: ‘I wish they’d just given Priya some decent storylines.
‘I’ll miss Fiona, but she’s made a sound decision considering how bad the writing has been on the show overall and for her character in particular.’
It was a similar tale last night for fans, who expressed their dismay at her story being rushed.
Annoyed: Some viewers were left frustrated by Priya’s exit storyline last night as well. One wrote: ‘Can’t beleive this is Priya’s exit storyline! She is hardly in it!’
One wrote: ‘Can’t beleive this is Priya’s exit storyline! She is hardly in it! It’s all about David being… well David!! Priya’.
Another viewer added: ‘They really are struggling for any decent stories these days because this David kidnapping Amba is beyond ridiculous.’
‘Awful leaving story for Priya. I thought she’d have a better one than a rushed ridiculous next day job in London,’ wrote a third.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and is available on ITVX.
Oh no! Ready for a fresh start, Priya’s plan are halted when David Metcalfe discovers she wants to bring their daughter Amba with her