Emmerdale star reveals she quit acting career to be a teacher after being named the ‘sexiest soap star’ in the noughties

She was named as the ‘sexiest soap star’ when she starred in the ITV soap opera.

But now a major Emmerdale star has turned her back on fame and changed her career to become a teacher.

Adele Silva, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor, now works as a teacher at the National Film and Television School.

The actress also shares an eight-year-old daughter Sienna with Oliver Farber, after three miscarriages.

Adele, who also appeared in Hollyoaks in 2015, is remembered for being part of a number of steamy fling storylines during her time on Emmerdale from 1993-2011.

Quitting fame: Adele Silva, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor, is now a mother and teacher at the National Film and Television School

The star quit Emmerdale after her pregnancy with Sienna and decided not to return for her on-screen sister’s final scenes in the soap as she wanted to focus on her first child.

Adele, who first appeared in Emmerdale in 1993, was introduced as the daughter of Viv and Vic Windsor.

During her time on the soap, her character Kelly was involved in a series of controversial storylines, including dating her teacher, having an affair with her stepbrother and overdosing on drugs.

After a five-year hiatus from the show from 2000 to 2005, Kelly returned to the Dales and soon began a relationship with Jimmy King.

But it was after Jimmy rejected her on their wedding day in 2007 after discovering she had aborted their unborn baby to secure a modeling contract that heartbroken Kelly fled the village.

In real life, Adele moved to Los Angeles in an attempt to gain fame as a movie star, but her dreams were dashed and it was revealed that she took a job as a store clerk.

After the Daily Mail published photos of the actress cleaning and supplying at Ted Baker on Melrose Avenue, Adele said, “I’m a trailblazing actress and in this climate you can either sell your soul or have an honest day’s work.”

The actress, who returned to the soap for another short stint in 2011, revealed last year that she would not decide to return to the soap again.

Throwback: Adele, who also appeared in the cast of Hollyoaks in 2015, is remembered as part of a number of affairs on Emmerdale from 1993-2011

On-screen romance: After a five-year hiatus from the show from 2000 to 2005, Kelly returned to the Dales and soon began a relationship with Jimmy King

Mini-me: The actress shares her eight-year-old daughter Sienna with Oliver Farber, after three miscarriages

She said The sun: ‘I would definitely go back if they asked me. Apparently Kelly’s son is there and she hasn’t seen him in years.

“Then there’s Little April. You can imagine Marlon’s face when her Aunt Kelly showed up. He would be shocked.

“My little girl is a little older now. She is happy and settled, it was great to spend time at home with her as a mother. That’s the problem with working on a soap opera like Emmerdale.

‘It’s so full. You get up early, work late and then have to learn your lines for the next day.’