Legendary actress Deena Payne, known for her role as Viv Hope in ITV's Emmerdale, expressed her discontent regarding her abrupt departure from the show. In a recent podcast interview, the 70-year-old star revealed that she felt 'bitterly disappointed' with the way her character was written off in 2011, following an explosive storyline that left no room for a proper farewell.
Payne, who spent 18 years in the role, lamented the lack of a storyline leading up to her exit and noted that she didn’t even receive a grave in the show. 'It hurt deeply because it was a life and a person I had been playing for 18 years,' she stated.
Additionally, Payne shared her initial feelings about her on-screen husband, Bob Hope, played by Tony Audenshaw, whom she found 'creepy' during auditions. Despite her reservations, Audenshaw was cast, which she later accepted.
In her personal life, Payne married percussionist Frank Ricotti at 24 but emphasized her desire for independence led to their split. 'I was too young to be settled down,' she reflected, noting they remain friends today.