Emmerdale beauty Roxanne Pallett to leave show after 3 years

The 25-year-old actress, who plays battered wife Jo Sugden, is understood to be leaving the Yorkshire Dales drama in about six months.

The brunette beauty had been determined to leave the hit soap last year, but bosses persuaded her to stay, giving her a high-profile domestic violence storyline.

Leaving: Roxanne Pallett, seen at the British Soap Awards 2008, is leaving TV show Emmerdale after 3 years

Emmerdale bosses said they could not confirm the move but series producer Anita Turner said: 'Roxanne has given a fantastic performance and it will be an eventful six months for Jo.'

Pallett joined Emmerdale in 2005 as feisty biker Jo Stiles and her character was later involved in a love triangle with Andy (Katie Fletcher) and Katie Sugden.

Jo and Andy eventually got married while he was serving a prison sentence for manslaughter.

He was sentenced on her wedding day after admitting torching his home with his mum Sarah trapped inside.

I do: Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher) and Jo Stiles (Roxanne Pallett) make the most out of their big day after they are forced to say their vows in prison

Roxanne's current storyline sees Jo left battered and bruised at the hands of her violent jailbird husband.

A source told The Sun: 'Roxanne has given a fantastic performance and it will be an eventful six months for Jo.'

According to one report today, Pallett is leaving because she wants to move to London and work on the West End stage.

A source told The Sun: 'Roxanne has given a fantastic performance and it will be an eventful six months for Jo.'

According to one report today, Pallett is leaving because she wants to move to London and work on the West End stage.

Girlfight: Katie (Sammy Winward) flies into a rage with Jo. Andy has to separate them.