EMMERDALE'S Charley Webb has spoken about her exit from the soap for the first time.

In a fan Q&A on Instagram this evening, Charley confirmed she quit her role of Debbie Dingle a year ago.

It comes 10 days after The Sun revealed she had called time on her 19 years in the Dales.

Over the top of a picture of her, husband Matthew and their three kids, she wrote: "This is always my most asked question but I've never answered it before because I've never wanted to make a big deal of it.

"I left to have Ace 2 years ago. I went back at the end of last year for 10 weeks to complete a storyline.

"So, I guess officially it's been a year. I never felt the need to announce it which is why we didn't."

Charley's co-star husband Matthew Wolfenden, 41, was recently caught up in a racism bullying row on set.

Insiders told us in the run-up to Christmas that Charley, 33, who last appeared on screen at the start of the year, made it clear she will not return.

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A source said: “Charley is closing the door on Emmerdale for good and won’t be going back.

“After she gave birth to her third child with Matthew in 2019 she returned briefly before taking some time out again.

“The past few months have given her time to think about the future and it is one that doesn’t involve Emmerdale. 

“Matthew being caught up in the row on set fuelled her decision to step away.

“Charley has been on Emmerdale for 19 years and her character Debbie has had a rollercoaster ride. It’s time for a new adventure for Charley.

“Naturally the door is open for her character, who is now living in Scotland, should she change her mind. But for now she is looking to the future.”

A spokeswoman for Emmerdale said: “There are no current plans for Debbie Dingle to return.”

Debbie’s storylines included becoming a mum at 15 and having a disastrous relationship with triple killer Cameron Murray.

Matthew said in July that Charley was waiting for the world to return to normal before going back to Emmerdale full time.

He said: “For her to go back now when all this is still happening is not what she wants to do.

“I think she’ll wait until all the restrictions have dropped.”

Then in October Matthew, who plays David Metcalfe, became embroiled in a row following a complaint that an inappropriate comment was made to a mixed-race female cast member.

He and co-star Isabel Hodgins — Victoria Sugden in the soap — were also facing claims that the actress’s accent was mimicked.

Matthew and Isabel, 28, both denied the allegations. It was later claimed that Matthew also had a row with Aaron Anthony, who plays Ellis Chapman.

Aaron, 28, has since told Emmerdale bosses he will not continue to work on the soap when his contract expires.

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