Is Brenda leaving Emmerdale and has Lesley Dunlop left the role for good?

Brenda leaving certainly sparked tears amongst some fans on Friday night, as actress Lesley Dunlop left the soap.

But it also sparked a lot of confusion, amid Brenda's exit alongside Cathy Hope, played by actress Gabrielle Dowling. There were mixed messages about the exit, given months ago it was reported Brenda would be leaving.

It was claimed Lesley was being written out of the show, while news of Gabrielle's exit as Cathy only came recently. According to reports the teenager is only leaving temporarily to focus on her exams, and will be back later in the year.

As for Brenda, the character bowed out in emotional scenes to head off on a cruise for three months with Cathy. The confusion came from the constant mentions of it "only being a holiday" and how both of them would be back soon.

Multiple scenes saw Brenda or someone else say it would "only be for three months" while Jacob Gallagher told Brenda she was a free agent after her split from Eric Pollard, meaning she could travel the . Talks about her visiting her granddaughter Molly in Canada sparked suspicion this was where she would end up.

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But as the final scenes were airing fans were utterly confused. All of the characters kept acting as though Brenda would only be gone for a few months and would then be back. No one was acting as if she was leaving the village forever.

It's only the reports earlier this year that left most fans aware she was actually departing. Then the final scenes of the episode heavily hinted it was a goodbye as she stared out of the taxi window.

The soap then uploaded a video looking back on Brenda's time in the village onto their social media accounts. It was the video and the last scene of the episode that left many fans realising Brenda was not coming back, and she would not be onscreen again.

Confused viewers took to social media, with one fan asking: "Hmm...Brenda will be back, right? Why doesn't it feel that way?" Another said: "Brenda is going out of it isn't she?"

A third fan posted: "Anyone else think Brenda and Cathy’s exit seems a bit rushed," while a fourth said: "Forget that Brenda's exit was permanent." Another comment read: "This all feels a bit final... is Brenda leaving for good?"

Amid the confusion, other fans were sad to see her leave with one writing: "Bye gossip queen Brenda," as another posted: "Oh that’s made me genuinely sad. Goodbye Brenda." Another fan posted a sad face emoji, as a further comment read: "Will miss Brenda as well."

The comments kept on coming with one reading: "I will miss Brenda. Lesley Dunlop brings such a maternal warmth that Emmerdale will miss." Another added: "Aww I like Brenda. Thought she’d be back? Least she escaped the cast cull of killing off characters."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , , and .