Jane Cox admits the death of her mother a few years ago made her think about "the big things in life" ahead of her decision to leave 'Emmerdale'.
Jane Cox
The 67-year-old actress will bow out of the ITV soap in upcoming scenes when her character Lisa Dingle dies of a terminal heart condition, and the star - who has tried to write two films and a book but hasn't had enough time as-of yet - is relishing the chance to try her hand at other opportunities.
She said: "It is completely life-changing. But I decided I wanted to do different things.
"My mum died a couple of years ago, so it does make you think a lot about the big things in life. As you get older life feels shorter - although of course I am going to live to 150."
Jane admits there are "long, long days" working on 'Emmerdale', but she still feels "about 20-odd" and wants to explore more of life.
She said: "It is long, long days and then you don't have time in the evening because you have lines to learn for the next day.
"I decided that this is going to be my time to do things I didn't have time to do. I still feel about 20-odd, but in 20 years I will be 87, and there are other things in life that I want to explore."
The former 'Allsorts' star admits she would've "never left" the soap if she hadn't decided to call time on her Dales tenure recently.
She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I know if I hadn't have left now I never would. Life is such an exciting thing, you never know what is around the corner. It was a big decision but I know it is the right thing."
Jane first joined 'Emmerdale' in August 1996, but the part was only initially supposed to be for four episodes.
She will depart the Dales after her character marries Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) for a second time in upcoming scenes.
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