Michael Wildman has said that he believes it was "a great time" for his character Al Chapman to exit Emmerdale.
In shock scenes that aired in Tuesday night's episode, Al was revealed to have been killed by his arch-nemesis Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) following a confrontation in the barn.
The storyline marked an exit for Wildman after three years on the soap, and speaking to The Mirror, he revealed that he was keen to see Al die.
"Over the last year I felt things were coming to a head because there was less reason for him to be there," he said.
"His son Ellis had gone and so when our executive producer rang me to say 'we are thinking of letting Al go', I told her 'I am with you – so long as Al doesn't leave in a taxi'.
"I wanted Al to go out with a bang, and last night he most definitely did."
He added: "I am so pleased. It's been brilliant to be part of the 50th celebrations and it's a great time to die.
"I've died three or four times with different characters I've played over the years. But the difference is this is a character who I have given life to for some time. Al is much dearer to me than other characters I've said goodbye to."
Emmerdale continues weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV.
Neil Wilkes
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