Who is Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi and when did she return to the soap as Leyla Harding?

But why did she leave and when did she come back? – Here's the lowdown…

Who is Roxy Shahidi?

Roxy Shahidi is a British actress best known for her role as Leyla Harding in ITV soap Emmerdale.

Her full name is Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi and she was credited as this during her first stint in Emmerale which ran from 2008-2012.

Roxy was born on March 12 1983, making her 35 years old.

She started her acting career as part of Contact Young Actors Company in 2004 and then worked as a drama workshop leader in Oldham and Bolton.

Before Emmerdale Roxy had a career as a stage actress and starred in productions of East is East and Rafta, Rafta.

Roxy became vegetarian when she was just eight-years-old and has been vegan since she was 21.

Away from acting Roxy has another career as a Yoga instructor and even has her own YouTube channel.

Who does Roxy Shahidi play in Emmerdale?

Roxy Shahidi has played the role of Leyla Harding in Emmerdale since 2008.

She quit the role in 2011 but returned in 2013.

She then took time off in 2017-2018 while she went on maternity leave.

Leyla returned to the village in October 2018 after having been Greece following her fling with ex David Metcalfe while he was married to her friend Tracy.

Since returning Leyla has revealed she is engaged to a man called Clive.

She’s also built bridges with Tracy and with Priya Sharma who she fell out with over Priya’s affair with Leyla’s ex Pete Barton.

Is Roxy Shahidi married and does she have any children?

Roxy has been married to fellow actor Arsher Ali since 2010.

The pair met in 2007 while working on a London stage play together.

Ali is best known for his role in The Missing and Beaver Falls.

They have a daughter together who was born in 2018.

Source: Read Full Article