ITV Emmerdale fans 'work out Brenda Walker's heartbreaking exit' in tragic twist

fans are worried for a character on the ITV soap after

The confirmed exclusively last week that Brenda Walker, played by actress Lesley Dunlop, will be leaving after 16 years. It's not yet been confirmed how Eric Pollard's partner will depart the village, with fans fearing she will be killed off.

A new theory, amid the reports that Leyla Harding is set to die on the show, suggests Brenda could meet a tragic end amid wedding plans with Eric. New spoilers revealed the characters could be set for a wedding, so what could lead to her exit?

There's rumours of a death looming following a fan sharing photos from an Emmerdale set tour, where a freshly dug grave was seen. One cast member teased the storyline too, while nothing has been confirmed about whose grave it is.

While one theory was that it could be Eric who dies given the new grave is right beside his late ex-wife Val Pollard's headstone, some viewers now believe it could be Brenda's funeral that has taken place. Sharing their theories, one fan posted: "Brenda," in response to questions about who the grave is for.

Another theory read, after recent drama: "Is the start of this storyline that sees the end of Brenda as Lesley Dunlop who plays her is leaving? Is she going to killed by one of Caleb’s lorries going down the track? #Emmerdale."

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A further comment read: "To reach 10% exactly 3 more exits are still set to be announced it’s rumoured Leyla and Brenda be killed off in a secret upcoming storyline." But will Eric tragically lose another woman he loves? Is Brenda's exit really connected to Leyla's own demise?

Viewers will have to stay tuned to find how she leaves, but either way it likely means heartache for Eric. Viewers are already concerned for the character, after his health appeared to be deteriorating recently following his Parkinson's disease diagnosis.

Just days ago The Mirror confirmed plans for Brenda to exit the show, with cast members said to be worrying about who will leave next. Insiders say the latest high-profile exit – yet to be announced formally – is the talk of the set and has prompted fresh fears among the wider cast.

A source said: “There have been so many exits recently and the talk is of more. With people like Lesley and Roxy potentially in the mix, nobody feels safe.

“The show has grown a lot bigger in recent years but soaps are expensive to make. It’s inevitable saving money means losing people – but it’s a huge shame all the same for those involved, their friends and colleagues.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , , and .