Emmerdale star left ‘devastated’ after getting brutally AXED amid ongoing ITV budget cuts
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An Emmerdale star has been left ‘devastated’ after being brutally axed from the soap amid ongoing ITV cuts.
Susan Cookson, who plays Wendy Posner, got the chance after seven years on the show and has already filmed her final scenes.
The reported announcement follows the axing of Dean Andrews after his character was brutally murdered in a gruesome plot twist on Christmas Day. He is best known for his role as Will Taylor.
Susan’s departure is revealed, a source says The sun: ‘Susan was devastated by the decision. She loves the show and loves being a part of it.
“She is much loved by the cast, but unfortunately budget cuts mean difficult decisions have to be made and that has resulted in Susan being one of many cast members to leave.
‘ITV is going through a cash crunch with the soaps and the money just isn’t there anymore to pay for everyone. Ultimately, if the character doesn’t inspire many stories from producers, there’s no room for them on the show anymore.”
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
Susan Cookson, who plays Wendy Posner, got the chance after seven years on the show and has already filmed her final scenes
The actress is ‘devastated’ after being brutally axed from the soap amid ongoing ITV cuts
Susan previously admitted she was ready to give up acting altogether to become a nurse after spending the last few months caring for her husband Malcolm Scates.
The tragedy of her husband’s death in 2016 had inspired Susan at the time to quit acting to become a nurse and help others.
But while Susan was on her way to see a nurse manager for advice on how to retrain, she received a call out of the blue offering her a role as Nurse Wendy in Emmerdale.
Susan told me The mirror in 2023: ‘I was at a crossroads in my life due to some things and decided that I wanted a more regular job.
“I started thinking about changing careers and going into nursing. My husband, who is unfortunately no longer with us, had a very bad time and I had cared for him.’
“And I’ve played a lot of doctors and nurses over the years, so it was a career I already knew a little about.”
“I was sitting in my car, about ten minutes away from this meeting, when my phone went dead. It was Emmerdale producer Jane Hudson. I worked with her on Casualty many moons ago, but I hadn’t spoken to her in years.”
The actress lives in Sheffield and is mother to sons Ruari, 27, and Dan, 21.
The announcement follows the resignation of Dean Andrews (pictured) after his character was brutally murdered in a horrific plot twist on Christmas Day. He is best known for his role as Will Taylor
Susan previously admitted she was prepared to give up acting altogether to become a nurse after spending her final months caring for her husband Malcolm Scates before he died in 2016.
Susan’s debut came in 1993 and since then she has appeared as two different police officers, DC Fallon in 1997 and DI Judy Dove in 2002.
Her husband Malcolm, a well-known face in Shameless, Holby City, Waterloo Road, The Bill and Doctors, tragically passed away in 2016 and the couple had shared a fairytale romance since their wedding in 1993.
Susan, who is best known for playing Maggie Coldwell in Casualty from 2005-2009, has been playing devoted mother Wendy in Emmerdale for seven years now.
Susan’s debut came in 1993 and since then she has appeared as two different police officers, DC Fallon in 1997 and DI Judy Dove in 2002.
Susan has also made two appearances in Coronation Street over the years as Marion, Callum Logan’s mother, who went to war with the Platts.
In three episodes of Hollyoaks in 2017, she portrayed a lawyer involved in Amy Barnes’ murder case.
Additionally, she has shown her talent on Doctors, playing five different characters over the years.