Emmerdale: Amelia tells Tom and Jimmy Belle is unwell
Emmerdale fans were quick to notice the seemingly indifferent reaction of Sam and Lydia Dingle when Amelia Spencer announced her permanent departure from the village.
In the episode aired on December 20, the popular ITV soap took a poignant turn as Amelia, portrayed by Daisy Campbell, decided to bid farewell after a 13-year stint.
The shocking news was accompanied by an unexpected return of a character absent for five years. Daz Spencer, Amelia's biological father, made a surprise appearance to assist his daughter in her move.
Amelia and Daz disclosed their ongoing contact and her plans to relocate with her daughter Esther, to live with Daz following Tom King's conviction.
This move had been in the works for some time, and despite being grandparents to little Esther (with Samson Dingle as her father), Sam and Lydia Dingle gave their blessing, albeit with a heavy heart, reports Leeds Live.
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Predictably, former stepmother Kerry Wyatt attempted to dissuade her from leaving, but a meaningful conversation with Belle Dingle reassured Amelia that she was making the right choice.
The emotional episode concluded with Amelia bidding everyone farewell before driving out of the village for good. Viewers at home didn't hold back their reactions to this tear-jerking moment, questioning why Sam and Lydia seemed so nonchalant about her exit.
One viewer expressed their surprise on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating: "Didn't expect Sam and Lydia to accept Amelia's decision to leave with Esther."
Fans were left emotional as they watched Amelia Spencer bid farewell to the village, with one writing: "Sam and Lydia have surprisingly accepted Amelia's decision. #Emmerdale."
Another viewer shared a blunt opinion, suggesting: "Amelia should leave Esther behind with Sam and Lydia when she leaves because she's never got that child. I can't remember the last time that I saw her with Esther before today #emmerdale".
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A third fan reflected on Amelia's storyline, saying: "What a 13 years for Amelia. Sad to see her go, but she's got no family left there now, and there's not much they can do with the character."
In a heartfelt interview with The Mirror, Amelia actress Daisy Campbell expressed her own emotions about leaving the soap: "It feels really sad. It's mixed emotions really I think. It's been such a tough year, and I've had to deal with so much, but I was so at peace when leaving because I've grieved."
Campbell revealed that she's been grappling with the loss, not just of her character but of a role that has been her life's work since she was seven years old. She shared: "I'm not only grieving for myself, it's a character that I've always played... it felt really sad. But then it was nice to close the door and be at peace, because I've just allowed it to play out as it has this year."
Campbell confessed that it's been an emotional experience: "But yeah, it's really upsetting, because it's all I've ever known, but I mean new things and maybe new parts next year. Who knows? But yeah, it's been sad. It's been really sad."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays
