Hannah Matty Barton

[Perdita]

Grace Cassidy is leaving Emmerdale, it has been confirmed.

The actress, who joined the ITV1 soap as Hannah Barton three years ago, will depart later in 2012 to pursue new projects.

''Working on Emmerdale has been one of the best periods of my life," she told ITV. "After three years I have made so many friends here and I am going to miss them so much.

"However, I felt the time was right to move on as I still have so much to learn. I can't thank Stuart and the team enough for making me feel so welcome. I will never forget the opportunity I was given."

Sophie Powles, who plays Holly Barton, will leave Emmerdale in June.

"When I first started I never thought I'd be there for that long. I don't like the thought of doing anything for that long, never mind a job. But I fell in love with it and had the time of my life. It didn't feel right to leave until now," Powles said of her exit.

[sarah c]

guess Hannah takes up that Uni place then...

[TheBillFan]

Thank god.. I hate her so much (both the character and the actress)

[lizann]

Good hopefully Adam is next to go

[Glen1]

Yeh, followed by Holly and her annoying voice, be hopes Brenda won't be far behind . Time they sodded off into the sunset.

[tammyy2j]

The rest of the family Adam and Moira should also go

[Perdita]

Emmerdale bosses have announced that a former character is making a return to the soap, having transitioned during his years away from the village.

Ash Palmisciano has been cast in the role of Matty Barton, who was previously known as Hannah Barton. Ash has already started filming with the ITV show, with his first episode airing later this month.

Matty's arrival is full of drama from the beginning, as Cain Dingle goes on the attack when he thinks that Butler's Farm has been broken into.

Mistaking Matty for an intruder, Cain punches him and knocks him out cold. However, when Moira arrives, she instantly recognises Matty.


Matty Barton and Moira Dingle in Emmerdale
© ITV

Emmerdale's producer Kate Brooks commented: "The character of Matty certainly knows how to make an impact: cheeky, effervescent, quick-witted and headstrong, it's not long before he's charmed his way into the affections of all those who meet him.

"His tale of a man trying to shake off his past and find acceptance in the present is full of emotion, humour and ultimately hope as he settles back into rural village life, turning Moira's world upside down in the process.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have Ash on board to play this role. A skilful actor of great talent, he exudes charisma and there's an unflinching honesty to his performance that adds real depth to this complex character.

"Ash has already proven himself to be a brilliant addition to the cast and we look forward to charting his journey as he reconnects with old friends and forges new relationships along the way."

New arrival Ash is Emmerdale's first regular trans cast member and has previously appeared in Boy Meets Girl and Mum.

Speaking about the role, Ash commented: "I'm very excited to be joining the very welcoming Emmerdale family. From nervous auditions to now working alongside the team daily has been truly amazing.

"Matty's a groundbreaking character to play and I can't wait to see what's ahead for him."

Previously played by Grace Cassidy between 2009 and 2012, Matty left the village for a fresh start in London.


Digital Spy

[mrfreeman]

Why is this character being described to us? Isn't it just a girl Hannah? This is really an odd direction to go in - I guess that's the problem of Soap Storytelling, characters are flexible and can do or be anything, but that can lead to very odd decisions that don't seem too logical or that foreshadowed.

[hward]

First saw this in the paper today and can't get my head round it. Why not just introduce a completely new character as Trans,but no, instead this as it's so that it involves Moira and Cain. Well I get why they're doing it, but really seems a bit weird.

[heydrich39]

I don't get it, just shows how writer's are running out of ideas for some characters and anything interesting in emmerdale now days is always given to Aaron,Liv, Debbie,charity the story will be laughed at and not in a good way