Andy Devine to leave 'Emmerdale'?

Emmerdale actor Andy Devine, who plays Shadrach Dingle in the soap, is reportedly devastated after learning that his character is to be killed off.

The actor, 67, had asked to go into semi-retirement after struggling to cope with the filming schedule, according to the Daily Star Sunday.

It is claimed that he was initially told he would be allowed to film scenes when it suited him, and return for major storylines involving the Dingles. However, he was later told that his character would be killed off.

A friend of the actor said: "Andy thought he would be able to come back every now and then, so to find out that Shadrach will leave Emmerdale in a body bag was a big disappointment."

An Emmerdale spokeswoman added: "Shadrach will be leaving the village on his birthday but how he goes remains to be seen. However, it’s not one to be missed."

Devine has been in the ITV1 soap for 12 years.