Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi, who plays Leyla Harding on the ITV soap, has revealed that she refused to film a scene where she would have stripped down to her underwear.

Speaking on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Shahidi explained that she was uncomfortable with the idea and the producers were understanding about it.

She said: “Everyone’s got their own body issues, haven’t they? So, they’re [producers] fantastic like that…

For example, I was written in in an underwear scene where I shimmied into a doctor’s surgery and dropped my coat in bra and knickers.

I said, ‘No, I’m not doing that.’ And so, I ended up in a nice knee length dress from Reiss, but I did a really good shimmy, a little dance, and I think it was funnier.”

Shahidi went on to explain that actors are free to raise any concerns they have regarding scenes, whether they are emotional or physical, and that the production team is generally accommodating.

She added: “For me personally, I felt comfortable delivering that scene, and also people don’t want to see my bra and knickers when they’re having their tea.”

Shahidi also revealed her ideal exit strategy for her character Leyla, saying that she would like it to be in a taxi.

She explained: “If you get in a taxi, you can always come back in a taxi.

You go in taxi, you come back in a taxi.

So, you want the taxi really because it leaves that door fluid…

You don’t want to die; it’d be too sad to die.

You’ve known that character for years and years and years and you’ve invested so much.

I couldn’t do it, I’d weep.”

Shahidi’s character Leyla was recently involved in a dramatic storyline where she was held captive by drug dealer Callum.

Fans were concerned that she might be killed off, but fortunately, her character managed to survive the ordeal.

In Thursday’s double bill of Emmerdale, Leyla was freed after being held captive by Callum.

During the storyline, Suzy Merton (Martelle Edinborough) and Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) went to rescue Leyla but ended up being held hostage by Callum as well.

Callum pulled out a gun and threatened to kill them all.

However, at that moment, the police made contact and told Callum to put his weapon down.

He was subsequently arrested for kidnap, forced imprisonment and the possession of a firearm.

Shahidi’s character Leyla was understandably traumatised by the experience, but she managed to escape unscathed.

She hugged her son Jacob and was relieved that the ordeal was finally over.

Hopefully, the characters can now move on with their lives.

Emmerdale is one of the UK’s longest-running soap operas and has been on the air since 1972.

The show is set in the fictional village of Emmerdale (formerly known as Beckindale until 1994) in the Yorkshire Dales.

Over the years, it has featured storylines tackling issues such as domestic violence, homosexuality, mental illness, and drug addiction.