Gillian Kearney's character is set for a "dramatic death" in 'Emmerdale'.
Gillian Kearney
The 44-year-old actress, who portrays the Emma Barton in the longstanding soap, is set to be killed off on the programme later this year because the production team reportedly felt she had to have her comeuppance after "all the trouble" she has caused by murdering her on-screen estranged husband James Barton (Bill Ward).
Speaking about the forthcoming storyline to The Sun Online, a source said: "The writers were looking for their big summer story and they decided Emma would be at the centre of it. They felt there had to be retribution for all the trouble she's caused.
"They are going to be writing in more devious storylines for her and building her into a complete psycho."
And it is unknown whether Gillian - who made her debut appearance in the Yorkshire Dales in 2015 - will be making a comeback in the future.
The source explained: "Gillian had a discussion to see if they would leave the door open for Emma but they wanted a dramatic death."
However, the brunette beauty and her colleagues are believed to be unhappy about the plot, and the departure of former co-stars, including Kelvin Fletcher, because they feel they are "not being recognised" for their work.
The insider said: "It's put a few noses out of joint, as there's a feeling that the actors who put in the graft are not being recognised and either made to leave or killed off."