EMMERDALE fans expressed their outrage tonight as the soap tried to explain sacked Shila Iqbal’s absence by saying she was in Ibiza.
The actress was fired on the spot from her role as Aiesha Richards after it emerged she had sent racist and homophobic tweets.
Manpreet was seen taking a phone call from her daughter where she revealed Aiesha would be staying in Ibiza to become an influencer, and fans weren’t happy.
One wrote on social media: “Love how they have to explain Ayesha's departure, Ibiza influencer ? She was sacked! #emmerdale”
While one said: "I can't come home as I got fired by the show #Emmerdale"
Another added: “I forget her name, but she’s in Ibiza then? Staying for the season, or a bit longer….? #Emmerdale”
And one simply wrote: “Gone to Ibiza ? #Emmerdale”
Shila was sacked from the soap after it emerged she had sent messages that read: "Do not tweet me you gay."
Another, which show bosses saw before making the decision to axe her, read: "I know too many noisy n****s."
Shila – who played Aiesha Richards in Emmerdale – was 19 when she shared the messages on Twitter.
A representative for Emmerdale told The Sun Online: "As a consequence of historic social media posts Shila Iqbal has left her role as Aiesha Richards on Emmerdale.
“The programme took the decision not to renew her contract as soon as these posts were brought to the company's attention."
Shila apologised unreservedly after the tweets came to light, citing her young age as a factor.
She also hit back at producers, saying she should have been suspended instead and given a chance to repent — rather than being made a scapegoat.
In an emotional exclusive interview, Shila said: “It was easy for them to let go of me and I suppose make an example of me.
“Going forward, the bosses could maybe think about talking to that individual properly and really understanding them and not taking immediate action.
“Maybe if I’d gone in with a different attitude and said, ‘Oh no that’s not me’ or I didn’t own up to it or I wasn’t apologetic, but from the get-go I was angry and disappointed in myself.”
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