Shila Iqbal has been sacked from Emmerdale, after she was found to have sent a series of offensive tweets in 2013.
Bosses announced Shila’s exit from the soap on Thursday afternoon, with the actress adding that she “sincerely apologises” for the posts.
An Emmerdale spokesperson said: “As a consequence of historic social media posts Shila Iqbal has left her role as Aiesha Richards.
“The programme took the decision not to renew her contract as soon as these posts were brought to the company’s attention.”
In a separate statement, the actress added: “I am terribly sorry and take full responsibility for my use of such inappropriate language.
“I have paid the price and can no longer continue the job I loved the most at Emmerdale.
“Although I was young when I made the tweets, it was still completely wrong of me to do so and I sincerely apologise.”
The content of the tweets has not been revealed and as Shila has now deleted her account, they were no longer viewable online.
The tweets were sent in 2013, when she was 19 years old.
Shila made her first Emmerdale appearance in July 2018 and became a full-time cast member in March this year.
Prior to her stint in the soap, she also appeared in Citizen Khan and the film Eaten By Lions.
