Emmerdale's Holly Barton killed off in shock storyline

Emmerdale’s Holly Barton was killed off on Thursday night in a shock storyline.

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Fans were left devastated when the troubled character - who has battled drug addiction - passed away following a heroin overdose, and her lifeless body was found by her devastated mother Moira Barton (Natalie J. Robb).

The death came as a surprise to viewers as although it was recently revealed that Sophie Powles, who played Holly, was leaving the show, details of her exit had not been disclosed.

Emmerdale fans watched on as Moira broke down in tears after finding her child dead before ringing the emergency services.

In what has to be one of the most poignant scenes in the soap’s history, Moira was later seen cradling late Holly’s body on her bed as she brought her daughter her favourite cuddly toy.

The emotional episode ended with Holly’s body being driven away and Moira running down the road after the vehicle screaming for them to bring her back.

Holly had been secretly dating local businessman Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) and he was left in shock at hearing she had taken her own life.

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Sophie, 27, only returned to the soap in March but quit for a second time in August.

A source previously said: “Sophie has enjoyed returning as Holly but she never saw coming back as a full-time thing. So she’s back off into the real world again.

"She was looking at other roles after she was finished travelling, but Emmerdale asked her back and it seemed silly to turn it down, so she returned.

She’s already filmed her final scenes which are being kept under wraps. Her leaving the show is seen as one of the big storylines of the next few months.

"She’s a popular cast member and will be missed by everyone on set.”

Sophie first quit the show in 2012 in order to go travelling with her boyfriend Mark Walters.

Copyright [ITV]

She returned to the soap in March and revealed she was thrilled when show bosses approached her about reprising the role of drug-addict Holly, rather than recasting.

She said: “I think it would have been weird, you know, ‘What’s she doing in my house?’

"But luckily that didn’t happen, and I’m really grateful for this opportunity and to be working with some of my best friends again, cast and crew. It’s just the best place.”