It was reported earlier this month that ITV decided not to renew the actress’ contract on the soap after Shila shared tweets containing “racist terms”, according to the Daily Mail.
The tweets were posted back in 2013 when the Emmerdale star was 19 years old.
Now, Shila has spoken about being let go from the programme in an interview with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning.
Phillip asked Shila whether she thought the right decision had been made by ITV.
I respect their decision
Shila Iqbal
The 24-year-old shared: “I honestly think its a tricky one. I think ITV have a moral obligation to do what’s right by the public and I respect their decision.”
She added: “But I do question is it fair that I’m being judged on something I did as a teenager if we look at the context and the intentions, I wasn’t hurling abuse at anyone.”
Shila said the tweets had been “banter” between her and her friends.
“I think at the time there was no malicious intent in those tweets, it was banter in a way between my friends,” she said before saying that language used in hip-hop and rap music had influenced her.
“I don’t think I understood the true meanings behind them [words],” Shila said.
Phillip asked the actress if she remembered sending the tweets when shown them by producers.
“I do now looking at them but I didn’t think that was me because I don’t use those words anymore,” Shila replied.
Shila insisted the words used in the tweets were not ones she would use now.
Speaking about what the situation has felt like for her, Shila shared: “I think it’s all just been so surreal.
“Obviously at the time I didn’t realise what I was doing, I was unaware of the implications and the meanings behind the word.
“I do own up to the fact that I used inappropriate language that I don’t do that anymore.”
She also went on to tell the hosts that she hoped to use her “terrible mistake” to help others learn about the consequences of the language they use.
Shila looked toward the future where she said she will “move on”.
“I think only time will tell of course. This is a blow.
“I was at such a high point in my life and it all came crashing down for me but I will move on,” she said.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.
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