Deena Payne quits Emmerdale to be a mum
Sunday, 17th August 2008.
After playing Emmerdale's outspoken postmistress Viv hope for the last 16 years, Deena Payne is taking a year-long break from the soap.
The 53 year-old revealed she is taking the time out to be more of a mum to her son who's sitting his GCSE's next summer.
Deena - one of the show's longest-serving stars - said: "I've been on the show for more than 15 years and it's time to just take stock and take a break.
"My son Will is 15 now - he was only six months old when I landed the job on Emmerdale.
"He's sitting his GCSEs next year and while he'll be glad to hear that I'm not planning to live in his pocket, it will be nice to be around for him in such an important year instead of telling him I don't really have time because I'm learning scripts.
"I've taken this break so I can see my family and I'm so looking forward to that."
Deena has already filmed her final scenes as bold-as-brash Viv, but admits it was a very emotional experience.
"It was traumatic leaving everybody," she said. "I shed a little tear."
"It's like a big family when you've worked there for so long.
"But I'm in touch with people because a lot of the cast live around the Harrogate area in Yorkshire, the same as me.
"When I'm out for dinner I'm always bumping into people from the show.
"The difference is though that they look so pale and exhausted and I'm thinking, 'Been there, got the T-shirt'.
"And that's why I've done it. I can feel a difference in my wellbeing already, not having the pressure of having to do something every day.
"Following that routine for 15 years is a long time."
The dramatic scenes which will see Viv leave our screens for a year will be shown this week.
There is going to be a shocking conclusion to her trial for fraud but soap insiders are keeping tight-lipped.
They won't reveal whether Deena's departure means Viv will be locked up for something she didn't do or if she will be let off but forced to leave the village.
Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Gettyimages
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