Emmerdale star Emma Atkins has admitted she could be set to take a break from the soap in the not too distant future.

The actress has played Charity Dingle on the ITV soap since 2000, and has hinted at a possible – albeit temporary – exit for her character.

Speaking to My Weekly (via OK! magazine), Emma said: ‘I might take a year out at some point in the future – do some travelling, do some other jobs.’

Recent Emmerdale scenes have seen Charity start to pick up on some concerning signs regarding Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) relationship with Tom King (James Chase).

In a storyline that began last year, Belle has found herself in a horrible position being physically and mentally abused by husband Tom.

Emma recently spoke to This Morning’s Sharon Marshall about what’s ahead in the plot, revealing a moment that the audience will be ‘screaming at the TV’.

She said: ‘She’s been there with historical abuse but she can’t be sure either, she’s playing a very dangerous game because as soon as you open the flood gates and you’re wrong…he’s so clever Tom, isn’t he? It’s why no one is picking up on these traits and behavioural changes.

‘It’s difficult stuff to watch as well. We need to have these discussions happening in our own living rooms not just for women, but for men as well. It’s so important that we express that through the storyline happening at the moment.

‘I think the audience are going to be screaming at the TV when Charity finally gets to have her moment with Belle’.