| Leyla Harding | |||||||||
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| Emmerdale character | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Roxanne Ghawam-Shahidi | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Anita Turner | ||||||||
| Duration | 2008–11 | ||||||||
| First appearance | 11 August 2008 | ||||||||
| Last appearance | 5 August 2011 | ||||||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||
| Date of birth | 4 March 1984 | ||||||||
| Occupation | Factory worker (until 2009) Shop assistant (2009–10) Shopkeeper (2010-11) |
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Leyla Harding is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi. She made her first on-screen appearance on 11 August 2008 and was introduced by series producer, Anita Turner. The character departed on 5 August 2011.
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In July 2008, the Prestwich Advertiser reported that actress Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi had joined the cast of Emmerdale as Leyla Harding.[1] Ghawam-Shahidi signed an initial six-month contract.[1] She said of her casting: "I’ve been filming for two weeks now and it’s great. [...] I’ve done a lot of theatre but not much TV work up to now so it’s great for me to work on such a popular and well established show. It’s a dream come true in fact."[1] Ghawam-Shahidi later said that she was "so excited", commenting: "This is a brilliant opportunity for me as I've done lots of theatre but not much TV. Everyone at Emmerdale has been so warm and welcoming. It's such a well-established show and I can't wait to see what Leyla gets up to."[2] Emmerdale series producer Anita Turner added, "Rokhsaneh is a terrific actress and an exciting new addition to the cast. Leyla's going to have some fun stirring up the factory."[2]
| “ | Leyla is slightly ditzy but a fun loving, loyal girl. She's easily led which can get her into trouble, but she's finally achieved her dream of buying the old farm shop, and is settling down with David at Farrers Barn. She's funny but often gets laughed at. | ” |
Leyla is described as "streetwise" and "savvy".[2] Ghawam-Shahidi described her as "very down to earth", "very lovable" and "really ballsy".[1] Leyla was initially a new worker at Eric Pollard's (Chris Chittell) factory and it was said that she would immediately get on the right side of him.[2] Leyla is reluctant to talk about her past, which sparks speculation about why she has moved to the village.[2] The Sun described her as a "streetwise minx".[4] Channel Five's soap opera reporting website Holy Soap describe Leyla as a "naive, honest, hard worker who can sometimes be a bit too trusting of people".[5] What's on TV deemed her an "attractive woman".[6] Ghawam-Shahidi told the Daily Mirror that she and Leyla are "quite similar in some ways" saying "We're both pretty ditsy and we have the same sense of fun. Leyla says things without thinking, and I can do that too."[7] She added that their lives and relationships are very different because she and Leyla are "worlds apart".[7]
Leyla begins a relationship with Eric's son, David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden).[5] In October 2009, Leyla sleeps with her new boss, Nathan Wylde (Lyndon Ogbourne).[8] However, when she admits that she regrets cheating on David, Nathan warns that he will not let her forget what happened and begins a "campaign of manipulation".[8] Of the plot, Ogbourne told the Press Association: "The switch between being such a seemingly nice guy and the malicious way he's controlling Leyla is quite horrific."[8] He added that Nathan would get "worse and worse" and could "easily fit into the cast of American Psycho by the end of it".[8] Leyla then fears that Nathan will tell David the truth.[9] Ghawam-Shahidi said this causes Leyla to be "under a lot of stress".[7] However, Leyla confesses to David.[10] Leyla and David later reconcile.[11] Wolfenden said he believes that Leyla is the "right woman" for David, despite "all of the things she has done to him".[11] He said "David seems to be under the thumb, and Leyla gets away with cheating, stealing and having a secret son. But David has been good enough to put that to one side, so because of that I reckon she must be the right girl for him."[11]
In May 2010, Digital Spy reported that Leyla's sister, Alicia Gallagher (Natalie Anderson), would be introduced.[12] The website said Alicia arrives in the village and makes it clear that she has unfinished business with Leyla.[12] Leyla and Alicia's relationship is "far from perfect".[12] Leyla is forced to deal with Alicia's arrival in an attempt to keep her "murky and scandal-ridden" past buried.[12] Anderson said that Alicia was set to make life quite complicated for Leyla.[12] Emmerdale series producer Gavin Blyth added that Alicia will start stirring things up in Leyla's life the minute she sets foot in the village.[12] Alicia arrives in the village to warn Leyla that she does not want her at their mother's funeral.[13] However, Leyla ignores Alicia and they "have a bit of a screaming match" at the funeral, which leaves Alicia annoyed.[13] Discussing what caused the "bad blood" between Alicia and Leyla in an interview with Digital Spy, Anderson said, "All I can really say is that something has definitely gone on between them! [...] The biggest clue I can give is that Alicia is fiercely protective of her family unit and she doesn't want anything to come between that. So you can read into that what you want!"[13] Anderson said that Alicia does not want to cause trouble, but does not want Leyla around.[13] Anderson added that Alicia would "prefer it if [Leyla] just disappeared".[13] Alicia was introduced along with her husband, Justin (Andrew Langtree), and their son, Jacob (Joe Warren-Plant).[13]
In September 2010, it was revealed that Leyla was the biological mother of Jacob.[14] Ghawam-Shahidi said that she was "really shocked" when she learned about the storyline, but was also excited as she thought it would be "really interesting" to play.[14] She opined that the storyline would bring a new dimension to Leyla.[14] Ghawam-Shahidi was involved in Warren-Plant's casting as Jacob.[14] Ghawam-Shahidi admitted that she was surprised that Leyla had not seen Jacob for so long, but understood as Leyla wanted to get on with her life and escape her past.[14] Ghawam-Shahidi said that Leyla just wants to be Jacob's aunt.[14] Leyla wants to see Jacob and interact with him like a normal aunt and nephew.[14] Ghawam-Shahidi had previously said that Leyla kept the secret as she wanted to get on with her life.[15] Ghawam-Shahidi also said that the easiest way for Leyla to move on in her life was to ignore it.[15]
Leyla takes Jacob to a birthday party, where he goes into anaphylactic shock due to an allergic reaction to some cake.[16] Speaking about the plot, Ghawam-Shahidi commented: "It's Leyla's fault because she hasn't listened to her sister's warnings about not letting Jacob eat anything because of his nut allergy."[16] Ghawam-Shahidi added that if Leyla had listened to Alicia, it could have been avoided.[16] The situation shocks Leyla and makes her realise that Alicia is Jacob's mother and needs to be listened to.[16] Ghawam-Shahidi said that Leyla needs to learn to be "less full-on" and stop "indulging and spoiling" Jacob.[16]
In June 2011, the Daily Star Sunday reported that Ghawam-Shahidi was to leave Emmerdale.[17] Speaking to the newspaper, Ghawam-Shahidi confirmed: "I have had an amazing three years at Emmerdale and it has been a really tough decision to leave."[17] She filmed her final scenes as Leyla later that month.[17] Ghawam-Shahidi admitted to We Love Telly that it took her six months to reach the decision to leave the show.[18] The actress explained that Anderson helped her reach the decision as she has experience of leaving a long-running serial.[18] Ghawam-Shahidi said that viewers would see a "desperate" side to Leyla in the build-up to her departure.[19]
Leyla arrives in Emmerdale for a job interview with factory owner Eric Pollard. She tells him that she won Machinist of the Year in 2007 and left her last job because of "inappropriate overtime" with a young manager. Eric gives her the job and Leyla soon makes friends with her colleagues and joins the St. Mary's Church Choir, which forms to enter a competition and save the church from closure.
Months after starting at the factory, her colleague Lily Butterfield sees Leyla leaving the building late at night and arriving very early. Eventually, Leyla reveals she is sleeping there and that she was at university. Unfortunately her part-time jobs as a cleaner and barmaid meant things got on top of her and she left without finishing her course. Lily asked Leyla to move in with her and Edna Birch, Lily's sister, who was unhappy with the arrangement so Lily and Leyla joined Pearl Ladderbanks, who also works at the factory. When Pearl or Lily ask Leyla about her parents, she avoids answering their questions.
Leyla takes an interest in David Metcalfe, inviting him to a concert but he was sidetracked by his ex-girlfriend, Nicola De Souza, was upset, thinking her father was terminally ill. On learning Rodney was healthy, David tells Leyla he can go to the concert after all. In early February, she goes out for the night with him and meets Skin, who drives them back to Emmerdale. While Skin tries getting close to Leyla, she makes him sleep in his van overnight. The following day, Pearl sees him fleeing after stealing their valuables. David, by chance, knocks him over and Leyla kisses him to thank him. They have a brief relationship but he dumps her when he thinks she believes he still has feelings for Nicola. In April, they restart their relationship. Leyla tells David that her mother is in a care home, and she is trying to earn as much money as possible to fund it. They grow closer during May when they campaign for election to the local council and he wins on 4 June.
In July 2009, Leyla starts work as deputy manager of the new farm shop opened by Natasha Wylde in the village. On seeing Maisie's new shoes, Leyla was jealous and stole £250 from the shop for a pair, planning to put it back when she got paid. However, Natasha's son Nathan found out, and to Leyla's surprise, was much nicer than she expected. After going to a concert together, they got drunk and slept together. Leyla tried quitting her job but Nathan turned nasty. He began blackmailing her until David became suspicious. In November, she admitted sleeping with Nathan and, disgusted, he left. When he saw Nathan attacking Leyla, he punched him but told Leyla that he hadn't done it for her. David later forgave Leyla and they reunited in December. Leyla now owns the farm shop that she used to work in and has renamed it 'Leyla's'
In 2010, David and Leyla are officially together and moved in together, buying Farrers Barn. Leyla got the news that her mum had died and insisted on attending the funeral alone. She comforted Alicia, her sister, during the service but Alicia insisted Leyla leave, telling her that she couldn't be trusted. Leyla later went to her sister's house and watched her with her husband, Justin, and young son, Jacob. She met Justin several times on the quiet, leading David to think she was having an affair with him. She swore she wasn't but wouldn't explain so David left for a council trip, hurt and disappointed, thinking Leyla was lying to him. While away, Alicia turned up with Jacob, and during a heart to heart, Leyla's difficult realtionship with her mother and sister was explained. Jacob is, in fact, Leyla's son. She got pregnant accidentally and had planned a termination but was "persuaded" not to as Alicia couldn't get pregnant so she and her husband adopted Leyla's son. It was later revealed that Alicia's husband was in fact the father of Jacob, after a one night stand with Leyla.
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