'Emmerdale' Leyla 'has hard times ahead'

Emmerdale star Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi has revealed that her character Leyla Harding is to face some tough times due to the secret she has been keeping from her loved ones.

Following the arrival of Leyla's fiery sister Alicia (Natalie Anderson) last month, viewers have learned that the shopkeeper has been hiding something from boyfriend David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) and her friends.

However, in next week's episodes, the mystery finally ends as fans learn what Leyla has been keeping quiet. The full plot details are being kept closely under wraps until transmission.

Speaking to DS about the mysterious storyline, Ghawam-Shahidi commented: "I think that Leyla has been keeping this secret just because she wants to get on with her life. The situation that she's keeping quiet was so hard for her to deal with, so if she went around talking to everyone about it, it would bring it all back.

"The easiest way for her to move on in her life was just to try and ignore it. But it's always been there at the back of her mind."

Asked whether the truth coming out could ultimately be for the best, she replied: "Well, now that Leyla's secret is going to come out, it'll be really hard for her to deal with. In the long run, though, it'll be best for her to get it all out in the open and deal with it. It's her life, it's the truth and she'll have to live with it."

Emmerdale fans will discover Leyla's secret in the double bill airing on Thursday, September 16.

> Click here to read our full interview with Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi