'Emmerdale' actor axed following guilty plea

Actor Luke Tittensor has been axed from ITV soap Emmerdale after recently pleading guilty to GBH.

Following a meeting with the show's bosses, the decision has been taken to terminate the 19-year-old's contract due to the serious nature of the charge.

Last month, Tittensor - who plays Daz Eden in the soap - admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm on an unnamed 16-year-old in an incident which took place in Rochdale, Lancashire on February 15. The teenager in question suffered a broken jaw and was forced to undergo corrective surgery.

A spokesperson for the ITV soap said: "As Luke has pleaded guilty to the serious charge of GBH and we cannot condone criminal behaviour, we have met with Luke and his agent to explain that his contract with Emmerdale will be terminated."

They added: "Luke regrets his behaviour and understands this situation."

Tittensor was granted unconditional bail following last month's hearing and will appear before the court for sentencing next Wednesday. He could face up to five years in prison.

Producers were forced to write him out of the soap earlier this year "to enable him to focus on the court case" and he makes his screen exit during Friday's episode.