Emmerdale tribute paid to 'friend and colleague' Stephanie Ives-Stevens

ITV crew member Stephanie Ives-Stevens was remembered in an tribute on Thursday night, with the latest episode dedicated to her.

The episode dropped on ITVX that morning before airing on ITV1 at 7:30pm. In both the early release episode and the televised episode there was a touching tribute to a "friend and colleague" of the soap.

Stephanie was a member of the ITV team and is thought to have worked with the production crew on Emmerdale. The soap took a moment at the start of the credits on Thursday to honour the late ITV colleague.

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In a message that appeared onscreen, they shared: "Dedicated to our friend and colleague Stephanie Ives-Stevens 1979-2023." The credits then ran as normal.

The episode had featured huge scenes for more than one character with it appearing to air an exit for Ella Forster. Paula Lane's actions came to light and resulted in a dangerous showdown.

She'd been harassing Chas and Liam for the past few weeks bitter over their romance. While John Sugden was accused by fans of being the real culprit, Ella seemed to confess to most if not all of the antics on Thursday.

Liam tried to trick Ella into thinking they could reunite but she saw through it. When Ella realised Chas and Mandy had called the police she panicked and fled, only to be chased by Liam.

Scene eventually led to Ella vowing to change her ways before being led away by police, and locked up in a cell. The scenes appeared to mark Ella's exit from the village with it not revealed in spoilers what happens next.

But there are two more exits coming, and they could air by the end of the week. Brenda Walker is leaving the village for good, with actress Lesley Dunlop reportedly written out of the soap.

This week she's planning on going on a three-month cruise, so it seems this will be her exit storyline that will likely air on Friday. As for the second departure, her stepdaughter Cathy Hope is also making an exit while only temporary.

Cathy has been chosen by Brenda to attend the cruise with her, so both characters will likely leave together. The storyline is to write out Cathy actress Gabrielle Dowling who is taking a few months out of filming in order to focus on her exams.

The actress will likely return later this year, while Brenda's exit appears to be permanent. As for Ella, it does seem the character is leaving as reported and this will be the final scenes for the character.

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