Emmerdale’s Isabel Hodgins ‘knew it was time’ as Victoria Sugden exit confirmed

Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins, who has played Victoria Sugden for 20 years, announces break from ITV soap to welcome first baby as character faces police dilemma

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Emmerdale fans will be saying goodbye to a beloved character very soon.

Isabel Hodgins, who became the third actress to portray Jack and Sarah Sugden’s daughter Victoria Sugden, joined the cast of the ITV soap in 2006.

Over the past two decades, Victoria has been at the heart of numerous gripping storylines, most recently killing her half-brother John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) during the historic Corridale crossover episode with Coronation Street.

Despite a formal suicide verdict being delivered, this week sees Victoria wrestling with the decision to either start anew or turn herself into the police.

The outcome of Victoria’s decision remains unknown, and actress Isabel is thrilled as she prepares for her “biggest role yet”, welcoming her first child with husband Adam Whitehead.

Victoria Sugden is leaving Emmerdale village soon (Image: ITV)

Speaking about her impending departure, set to air this week, Isabel told The Sun: “I thought I would be really emotional when I filmed my final scenes.”

She added, “Emmerdale is all I have ever known but pregnancy does funny things to you and the truth is I felt ready not to have to film on Emmerdale.”

Living in Manchester and commuting to Leeds for filming, Isabel admitted: “I live in Manchester and I’ve been driving over to Leeds to film. By the end, I felt exhausted and I knew it was time to have a rest before the baby arrives.”

Isabel Hodgins has filmed her final scenes as she prepares to welcome her first child (Image: Instagram / Isabel Hodgins)

“It suddenly feels very real now. I am so excited about becoming a mum for the first time and this will be, by far and away, my biggest role I’ve ever had. I will be back in time but now it’s time to be with my baby and Adam. We can’t wait to be parents.”

Isabel revealed her pregnancy news last August, four months post her nuptials with Adam at the Castlefield Rooms in Manchester.

Soap enthusiasts would be aware that Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) has been manipulating both Victoria and her half-brother, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), as he possesses video evidence revealing the true circumstances of John’s death.

However, instead of handing over the video to the police, Joe has coerced Victoria into convincing Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb), who is erroneously facing two murder charges, to transfer the ownership of the farm to him.