Joe Absolom has quit Emmerdale.
The 47-year-old actor only joined the cast of the ITV soap as villain Ray Walters earlier this year but he has reportedly already filmed his final scenes and will bow out of the show in the new year.
A source told The Sun: “Bosses knew they only ever had Joe for a certain amount of time, but they’ve definitely made the most of having someone of his calibre in the village. He filmed his final scenes back in November.”
Joe’s exit storyline is expected to be played out in the lead up to the crossover episode with Coronation Street.
Ray’s adoptive mother Celia, played by actress Jaye Griffiths, is also set to leave the Dales and Jaye has filmed her final scenes for the soap.
The insider said: “Jaye has truly loved her time on Emmerdale but she knew when she signed up that a character like Celia had a limited shelf life.
“She must be seen to get her comeuppance and that’s what is going to happen – one way or another.
“But while Celia might be done – her impact and secrets will run and run and continue to cause chaos long after she’s gone.”
Meanwhile, Joe – who played the character of Matthew Rose in EastEnders from 1997 to 2000 – has claimed that starring in Emmerdale is far more enjoyable than being in EastEnders.
Joe was quoted by the Daily Star newspaper’s Hot TV column as saying: “When I was on EastEnders, it was like, ‘That’s your time, be there.’ It was like a job, which was fine.
“When I was there, I remember meeting all the other casts from the soaps. Hollyoaks stars were like footballers and the Corrie lot were never particularly friendly, but Emmerdale’s cast were always the nicest bunch of people by far.
“I remember everyone saying Emmerdale were the nicest bunch. Now I’m here, I can believe that’s true.”
