The actress appeared on Loose Women today (October 15), confirming that her character Brenda Walker will not feature in the hour-long 40th anniversary broadcast.
© Rex Features / Steve Meddle
Pictured: Lesley Dunlop on Loose Women.
Dunlop told the show's panel: "I'm here because I'm not in it, and they're all busy! I've had a little operation, and I was written out of this period."
She continued: "They're all working ridiculously long hours. I think they're all brilliant. We've got some fantastic actors in this show, and I think it's going to show in the live ep.
"It's more about the characters and the situation in the village, rather than anything jumping out the sky."
Brenda has been absent from the village for a few weeks, but she is expected to return on October 26.
© ITV
© ITV
Viewers recently saw the character split from Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) after spotting him kissing his wife Val despite their break-up (Charlie Hardwick).
Backing the storyline development, Dunlop commented: "He was still in love with Val, and they're so brilliant together. Charlie Hardwick is brilliant, isn't she? [Brenda and Eric] couldn't have lasted."
Emmerdale Live airs on Wednesday (October 17) from 7pm on ITV1.
