'Emmerdale's Kirsty-Leigh Porter launching music career

Emmerdale star Kirsty-Leigh Porter is to launch a music career.

The actress, who announced in April that she was leaving her role as Roz Fielding in the ITV1 soap, will soon start working on material in a recording studio.

Speaking of Wednesday's exit scenes, she told the Daily Star Sunday: "I was really happy with my Emmerdale exit as the door has been left open. I only ever signed up for three months but my contract kept getting extended and extended. I was happy to stay but was equally happy to leave when my contract was up.

"I've been up for a few roles and will continue my acting career but I'd love to focus on my singing for the next few months. Singing has been a huge passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. Now the time finally feels right for me to just go for it.

"I've got some time set aside in a recording studio next month and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm a bit of a soul and Motown girl so that's the sound I'll be going for."

Porter, who is dating co-star Danny Miller, also cleared up the reasons behind their brief split in March.

"Danny didn't cheat on me," she said. "I know there were a lot of rumours at the time but we had a huge row which got blown out of all proportion, as rows often do - and we didn't speak. We had some time apart and now things really couldn't be any better. We're both very happy."

Miller recently described himself as the Wayne Rooney of Emmerdale.