Emmerdale viewers were taken by surprise when Steph Fox-Miligan, played by Georgia Jay, made the decision to leave the village after just one year. The businesswoman’s exit came with a twist, as it turns out, her departure is not related to any storyline but to the actress’s maternity leave.
Steph’s journey in the soap was filled with tumult and drama. Upon her arrival last year, it was revealed that she was the product of her grandfather raping her mother, a trauma that initially sent her spiraling. Despite the dark past, her storyline began to settle as she came to terms with the fact that her mother had killed her grandfather.
This week, fans saw Steph’s emotional reunion with Ross Barton, where things seemed to be looking up for her. However, the peace was shattered when she discovered Ross had slept with Manpreet Sharma months ago, prompting her to make a life-changing decision. Deciding to leave, Steph booked a ticket to Rome and told Ross she was going traveling, leaving her future in the village uncertain.
While Steph’s exit seems permanent for now, it has been revealed that Georgia Jay’s decision to leave Emmerdale temporarily is due to her real-life pregnancy. The actress shared the news earlier this year, revealing her growing baby bump on Instagram, much to the delight of her fans.
A source close to the production team shared, “Everyone’s thrilled for Georgia and can’t wait to see her back when she’s ready.” The source also hinted that with some unresolved storylines—like Anthony’s body still being out there—Steph’s future return could bring dramatic twists.
Georgia expressed her excitement for the upcoming chapter in her life, saying on Instagram, “I know some of you have been wondering if you’ve been seeing a little bump on screen lately… well, it’s not your imagination… I’m having a baby. We’ve never been so excited and a little nervous all at once. Thank you for all the love and support.”
While Emmerdale fans will miss Georgia Jay as Steph, they can look forward to her return once she’s ready after her maternity leave.
