Emmerdale's Samantha Giles has announced she is leaving the soap after seven years.

The actress, who plays beautician Bernice Blackstock, announced the news on Twitter on Friday. She explained that after "seven fabulous years" she would soon be leaving the 'dales for "other creative projects". She added that while she will miss all her costars, she is exited to be heading on "to pastures new." She said:

"After 7 fabulous years I am shortly to be hanging up Bernice’s aprons and leaving the dales to pursue other creative projects. "I will miss all the friends I’ve made on the show, but I’m very excited to be moving on to pastures new."

After 7 fabulous years I am shortly to be hanging up Bernice’s aprons and leaving the dales to pursue other creative projects. I will miss all the friends I’ve made on the show, but I’m very excited to be moving on to pastures new.

— Samantha Giles (@sammeegiles) September 20, 2019

The actress first joined the show back in 1998 as a barmaid at The Woolpack, before leaving the village to take a job on a cruise ship in 2002. She made a brief appearance in 2004, before returning again in 2012. It comes as fan favourite Ryan Hawley recently announced he is leaving the soap, as well. The actor has played Robert Sugden on the ITV soap for five years but is leaving the dales to try new things. Robert has been through the ringer but it was his relationship with Aaron Dingle (played by Danny Miller) that really earned him viewers' love - and even the cute couple moniker RobRon. Earlier this year, an insider told The Sun:

"Emmerdale fans have loved every minute of RobRon’s story, and what Ryan has brought to playing Robert. “But he has decided to take a break from the show for the foreseeable future and try other projects. "He will leave later this year, but fans can expect to see him on screen right up until the end of the year. He will be sorely missed.”