Jane Cox: ‘I didn’t have time’ Emmerdale’s Lisa Dingle reveals show pressure amid exit

Jane Cox, 67, recently announced she was quitting Emmerdale after playing Lisa Dingle for 23 years. The soap star has now spilled on the real reason for her departure, after spending over two decades on the ITV soap. The British actress admits the gruelling schedule of being in a soap that now has six episodes a week was a factor in her decision to leave. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Jane said: “It is long, long days and then you don’t have time in the evening because you have lines to learn for the next day.

“I decided that this is going to be my time to do things I didn’t have time to do. I still feel about 20-odd, but in 20 years I will be 87, and there are other things in life that I want to explore.”

The star also told the publication she has spent the past 10 years attempting to write two films and a book, but has struggled to find the time.

However, she has studied for an art history degree.

The small-screen star also explained she was influenced by the death of her mum and her own personal desire to explore other avenues.

Jane said: “Life is such an exciting thing, you never know what is around the corner. It was a big decision but I know it is the right thing.”

She added: “It is completely life-changing. But I decided I wanted to do different things.

“My mum died a couple of years ago, so it does make you think a lot about the big things in life. As you get older life feels shorter – although of course I am going to live to 150!”

Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans were devastated earlier this year when Lisa revealed she was dying of a terminal heart condition.

In the emotional scenes poignantly aired on International Women’s Day, Lisa visited her niece Charity Dingle in Scotland to confide in her.

The actress went on to ask a devastated Charity to prepare a eulogy for her as she started to make arrangements for her death.

Charity was sworn to secrecy with her young daughter Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor Draper) kept in the dark over the diagnosis.

More recently, she and Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) returned to the village and the rest of the Dingle clan were told she was dying.

Determined to make the most of the rest of her life, Lisa and Zak have decided to marry one another again.

Speaking about the rollercoaster of emotions which are set to air over the next few weeks as her last scenes air, the actress said: “It is just starting to sink in now.

“I will miss my Dingle family but we are friends for life.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

source: express.co.uk