Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson has opened up about her decision to leave the show, saying she wanted to focus her attention on her family.
The actress, who has played Alicia Metcalfe on the soap for the past five years, announced that she was quitting the show in May.
Now she has spoken about her exit for the first time, telling Hello! magazine that she wants to put her husband James Shepherd and son Freddie first.
She explained: "People say of children that you blink and they're 15 – and suddenly I knew exactly what they mean. Having Freddie really altered my perspective on my career and my approach. Usually I have a million and one things all in place and I know exactly what I'm doing. But I just decided that sometimes you have to let life take its own path.
"I feel that it's time to take my foot off the gas for a while. I believe that what is meant to come my way will – and if it's not for me, then it won't."
She added: "This year with Freddie is important, the year before he goes to school, but that's not to say I might take on something that fits around my family life. It could be a stage show, it could be presenting, it could be drama.
"I'm incredibly lucky in that I have a wonderful family and an incredible husband who have made me feel so secure and so reassured in my decision. I feel excited about the future."
