ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes

Emmerdale fans were shocked to see a character killed off (Image: ITV)

Emmerdale's Dean Andrews has spoken out about his departure from the popular soap following a heart-wrenching Christmas Day episode.

His character, Will Taylor, met a grim fate on December 25, succumbing to a heart attack and dying. The dramatic turn of events unfolded as Will's plot against his wife Kim Tate was revealed by Joe Tate, sparking a confrontation.

In a desperate attempt to justify his actions, Will insisted he had abandoned his scheme out of genuine love for Kim. However, the stress of the situation proved too much, and he collapsed clutching his chest.

Unconvinced, Kim watched him struggle for life, delaying her intervention until it was too late.

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Joe then covered for Kim, claiming she had immediately sought help, earning her gratitude while hiding his role in instigating the plot. Back in his hotel room, viewers saw a distraught Joe resorting to medication to cope with the aftermath, reports the Mirror.

Emmerdale's Will Taylor died of a heart attack on Christmas Day (Image: ITV)

Suspicion now falls on Joe for Will's death as Billy and Dawn suspect he returned to murder him. Meanwhile, Dean has previously discussed leaving the show, admitting that it would require a decision from the bosses for him to exit.

The actor confirmed his retirement plans following the end of his character Will's storyline on Emmerdale. He shared: "I feel very settled. With other stuff that we do [other acting jobs] we're there for three to five months or whatever, and then we all disappear and we all go and do other stuff and then we come back."

Speaking to The Sun, he further elaborated: "But here it really, I remember before I came in and hearing people say it's like a family at Emmerdale and thinking blah, blah, blah, but it really is. Because we are together. I definitely see Claire more than I see my own wife, and Olivia more than I see my own daughters so we are like a little family."

Dean Andrews is retiring from acting following his Emmerdale exit (Image: ITV) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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He continued: "I do feel settled here. When the producers initially asked me to come in and asked me how long I'd like to stay and I said: 'If I come in now, you'll have to kick me out.'

"I'll stay as long as they want me to stay but how long they want to stay is up to them. I'm of an age now where I'm in my sixties so I'll probably retire after this job."

Dean's departure from Emmerdale was broadcasted on Boxing Day.

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ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes

ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes

ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes

ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes

ITV Emmerdale icon retiring after brutal axe from soap in grisly scenes