Oliver explains 'Emmerdale' quit decision

Former Emmerdale actress Sally Oliver has spoken for the first time about her decision to quit the ITV soap.

Tonight's episode of the Yorkshire serial saw the 25-year-old's character Lexi King walk out of her husband Carl King's (Tom Lister) life after a dramatic real-time rooftop showdown.

The 8pm instalment began with Lexi holding Nicola (Nicola Wheeler) and Jimmy's (Nick Miles) newborn baby Angelica on the roof of the hospital. However, she soon handed her back to her parents, before a dramatic confrontation with Carl ensued.

Carl's web of lies fell around him as Lexi discovered that their marriage was a sham and that he never even loved her. Following a tussle near to the roof edge, Lexi walked out of Carl's life for good.

She calmly told him: "You're a liar and a cheat - why the hell would I want to stay with you? We could have had such a wonderful life… Never mind, eh?"

Oliver filmed her final scenes five weeks ago, but her exit from the soap was kept under wraps by show bosses in order to not spoil the storyline twist for viewers.

Speaking of her final scenes, Oliver said: "It was very emotional filming my last scenes due to the nature of the storyline, but also because I knew that I was leaving. I know everyone always says it about Emmerdale, but that's probably because it is true - everyone gets on fantastically and just wants each other to do well.

"I am going to miss everyone loads but particularly my on-screen family - Kelsey [Beth Crossley], Nicola [Wheeler], Nick [Miles] and especially Tom [Lister]. Tom and I have had so many scenes together. He's such a talented, kind and thoughtful man, and I'm going to miss him loads."

She added: "I've loved every minute of playing Lexi but just felt the time was right for her to move on."

Oliver joined the ITV soap in July 2007.