Former Emmerdale star Paula Lane has confirmed that she has taken an unexpected new direction in her career. Nearly a year from her exit on the ITV soap, what has the actor chosen to do next?
The star made her debut as Ella Forster in the Dales in January 2024, appearing in several major storylines before her exit in April of the following year as the character was taken away by the police for drugging Chas Dingle.
Despite a year nearly passing since her on-screen exit, it’s been a busy time for Lane, with the actor giving birth to a baby boy last month as she welcomed another child with husband Tom Shaw.
That isn’t the only change in her personal life, with the star revealing via Instagram that she was currently studying. She wrote: “A whole year has passed since leaving Emmerdale…so much has happened in that time!
“Got a maths qualification – some people thought I was mad but I went and did it anyway! Still studying [Spanish]. Continue to watch my business grow and thrive. Had a baby (a true blessing from above). Got the writing bug.”

ITV
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The star, who played Kylie Platt on fellow ITV soap Coronation Street, concluded by saying that the post was a “reminder that you can change direction, try new things and live your life!”
The post was met with several messages of support in the comment section, with one follower writing: “Wow 12 months.. that’s flown by…congratulations on all your achievements xx.”
“Congratulations so proud of you…miss you not being on tv though,” added another supportive follower, with a third commenting: “Glad things have worked out well. Emmerdale’s loss has been your gain.”
Related: Emmerdale confirms Cain Dingle’s next clashes in explosive scenes
While Lane has explored plenty of other opportunities following her exit from Emmerdale, the actor did previously state that they would very much be open to making a comeback in the future.
“[Ella] is a brilliant character and, you know, never say never. Who knows? Lots of love from me. Over and out,” teased the actor, who has also had roles in Father Brown and Call the Midwife.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
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