Emmerdale has never shied away from darkness, but few villains in recent years have left such a chilling mark on the village as Celia Daniels. Now,

following her brutal on-screen demise, actress Jaye Griffiths has finally broken her silence about leaving the ITV soap—and the emotional toll it has taken

on her both professionally and personally. After months of delivering one of Emmerdale’s most disturbing and ambitious storylines, Griffiths admits that saying goodbye to

the role has been far harder than she ever anticipated. Despite knowing from the outset that Celia’s reign of terror was destined to end, the reality of walking away from the Dales has hit with unexpected force.

Jaye Griffiths has revealed she is devastated to leave Emmerdale after enjoying herself so much

Celia was killed by her own son after finally going too far

A Villain Unlike Any Other

Celia Daniels was not a conventional soap antagonist. From the moment she arrived in the village, it was clear she was a woman devoid of empathy, driven by power, control, and a chilling belief that the ends always justified the means. Her criminal empire—rooted in modern slavery, drug trafficking, and child exploitation—pushed Emmerdale into some of its darkest territory in years.

For Jaye Griffiths, stepping into the role was both daunting and exhilarating. In a candid interview following her exit, she revealed just how deeply she connected with the complexity of Celia, despite the character’s horrifying actions.

“Working on Emmerdale has been one of my best TV jobs ever,” Griffiths shared. “There is still that expectation that women on screen should be maternal, caring, the givers. Celia was none of these—and I absolutely loved playing her.”

It was that rejection of traditional female archetypes that made Celia so compelling. She was cold, ruthless, and unapologetic, a woman who wielded power without remorse. For Griffiths, the role offered a rare chance to explore a character who was completely unfeeling—and she embraced it fully.

The Night That Changed Everything

Viewers witnessed Celia’s long-awaited downfall in a harrowing New Year’s Day episode that will be remembered as one of Emmerdale’s most shocking finales. In a cruel twist of fate, Celia met her end at the hands of her own son and victim, Ray.

After months of manipulation and psychological abuse, the truth finally came spilling out when Celia smugly revealed that she had murdered Bear Wolf herself. The confession proved to be the final straw for Ray, who snapped under the weight of years of trauma and rage.

In a brutal confrontation, Ray stabbed Celia to death. Yet even in her final moments, she maintained her disturbing control. As she lay bleeding on the floor, she told Ray she was proud of him for killing her—a twisted affirmation that only deepened the horror of the scene.

Moments later, Celia collapsed, her reign of terror ending in a pool of blood. It was a scene that left viewers stunned—and one that proved emotionally overwhelming for the actress herself.

“I Nearly Cried Lying There”

Although Griffiths knew Celia’s storyline was always heading toward a violent conclusion, filming her final scenes was far more difficult than she expected. The actress admitted she struggled emotionally in the lead-up to her exit, resisting the reality that her time on the soap was coming to an end.

“It took me ages to learn my lines,” she confessed. “I think I was subconsciously resisting it. When it came to my last scene, I nearly cried. Then I had to lie on the cold floor pretending to be dead. It was incredibly hard.”

That image—of a powerful villain reduced to silence on a cold studio floor—mirrored the emotional weight Griffiths felt in that moment. For an actress who had poured so much energy into bringing Celia to life, the finality of death felt profound.

Life After Emmerdale: The Silence Feels Loud

Since finishing filming, Griffiths has been adjusting to a sudden and jarring change in routine. The daily rhythm of soap life—scripts, rehearsals, call sheets—vanished overnight, leaving an unexpected void.

“I found it liberating to be that unfeeling character,” she explained. “But since finishing, I’ve missed the soap so much. To suddenly have no scenes to learn, no call sheets—it’s been really tough.”

Her words will resonate with many actors who have worked in long-running soaps, where intense schedules and tight-knit casts become a way of life. Leaving that environment can feel like losing a second home.

A Chilling Aftermath for Ray

Celia’s death may have closed one chapter, but the fallout continues to ripple through Emmerdale. In the episode confirming her fate, viewers were treated to a deeply unsettling scene as Ray spoke to Celia’s lifeless body, the weight of his actions crashing down on him.

The horror escalated when Ray went upstairs and discovered Bear Wolf’s body. Overwhelmed by guilt and grief, he broke down, unable to even enter the room properly. In a moment of raw emotion, he apologised to Ted before fleeing the house, desperate to escape the consequences of his past.

Ray’s plan was to start over—moving in with Laurel and attempting to build a “normal” life. But redemption proved elusive. Laurel, fully aware of the truth about Ray and his crimes, shut him down completely. Her rejection was swift and brutal, leaving Ray utterly alone and stripped of the future he had imagined.

A Legacy That Will Linger

Celia Daniels may be dead, but her impact on Emmerdale will be felt for a long time to come. The storyline has left deep scars on multiple characters and forced the village to confront uncomfortable realities about exploitation, control, and complicity.

For Jaye Griffiths, the role has been career-defining—an opportunity to challenge perceptions and deliver a performance that will be remembered for years. While the goodbye has been painful, her portrayal of Celia has cemented her place in Emmerdale history.

As the actress steps away from the Dales, one thing is certain: Celia Daniels was not a villain viewers will forget easily. And for Jaye Griffiths, leaving her behind has been just as tough as bringing her to life.