Woolpack's Bernice to quit

Emmerdale actress Samantha Giles, who plays Woolpack landlady Bernice Thomas, today announced that she is quitting the ITV show to explore different roles.

She said: ‘‘It will be a real wrench to leave a show and people that I love. I have thoroughly enjoyed playing Bernice and she has been given some wonderful storylines but after three and a half years I have decided that I would like to try something new.’’

Samantha will make a tearful exit from the Yorkshire soap in the spring. Emmerdale bosses pledged that Bernice will not be killed off and the door will be left open for Samantha to return.