Emmerdale viewers will be saying goodbye to Vanessa Woodfield (played by Michelle Hardwick) later this year as the actress prepares to go on maternity leave. After the mum-of-one received her cancer diagnosis, many fans were worried Vanessa could leave the village for good but could her exit tie in with a surprise reunion with her son’s father, Kirin Kotecha (Adam Fielding)?
Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) has struggled to come to terms with Vanessa’s cancer diagnosis despite her partner’s calm persona.
Accepting the tragic eventuality that she may not recover, Vanessa began putting plans in place to secure her son’s future.
The Dingle matriarch was horrified at first and her refusal to accept the idea her partner could die led Vanessa to choose Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) as her son’s guardian.
Vanessa mistook Charity’s denial for apprehension and thought she wouldn’t want to be stuck raising Johnny.
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However, the couple shared a heart-to-heart and Charity revealed how important it was for her to by Johnny’s guardian.
Charity put the vet’s plan into motion but was devastated when she realised things might not be as simple as she thought.
She learned she would have to get permission from Johnny’s father, Kirin before she could adopt Johnny.
Kirin has been on the run since 2016 after killing Tess Harris (Nicola Stephenson) in a hit-and-run incident.
Vanessa and Charity have had their fair share of ups and downs and the mum-of-one may realise she needs to start over once she’s finished her treatment.
The vet has had no contact with her son’s father since he left the village but if Kirin suddenly makes contact, this could change everything.
Speaking to Metro, Michelle addressed her exit from the soap: “Charity adapting Johnny is a massive step in their relationship.
“Obviously with me not being onscreen for the foreseeable due to my pregnancy, the story will continue going forward as Charity navigates her life and parenthood in the absence of Vanessa.”
With Vanessa’s exit confirmed, could Kirin’s reappearance lead to the parents reuniting or will Charity succeed in adopting Johnny?
Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans have spotted a plot hole with Charity’s search for Kirin.
One tweeted: “#Emmerdale thought if Kirin hasn’t had any contact with Johnny since he’s being born that Charity won’t need his permission.”
“Legally is the adoption stuff right? Kirin’s not been around for four years, surely they don’t still need his signature? #Emmerdale
#Emmerdale Charity doesn’t necessarily need Kirin’s permission,” another added.
A third said: “They can petition a judge, say that Kirin abandoned johnny which he has and a judge can give Charity adoption right #vanity.”
Emmerdale continues Monday on ITV at 7pm.