Iconic soap character Sandy Thomas – played by the legendary Freddie Jones – is leaving Emmerdale.
He has opened up to the Radio Times about his decision to quit the soap and cites his commute as a big factor.
“I travel three hours by car, book into a hotel and then get up the next day to say maybe three sentences,” he revealed.
It’s important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV & Celebrity news to share with our community of loyal readers.
Click here and tick Entertainmentdaily.com
“And then do a three-hour journey back. I can’t justify staying, even though Emmerdale was very generous in asking me to.”
Freddie explained that the soap had offered him a new 12-month contract, but he didn’t know what he’d be doing in another year.
However he did admit to leaving with a certain heaviness of the heart, revealing what he will miss.
“A feeling of friendship,” he said.
“And overwhelming love from every quarter – props, lighting, make-up… nobody could have been kinder. My life will easily be more impoverished.”
Sandy’s last scenes will play out on air on Feb 16 – next Friday – and Freddie will be bowing out with a joyful storyline after 12 years on the show.
The old boy is to find love again when a charming lady arrives in the village on a bus tour, armed with gifts from his pal Betty.
Read more: Jason back in Coronation Street to take down Phelan?
Maisie (played by Wendy Craig) and Sandy are soon getting on like a house on fire, but when she announces she has to leave for Australia after a week together, he is clearly devastated.
Daughter-in-law Laurel hatches a plot to get him to follow his heart and go with her. Awww.
Will you miss Sandy? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!