Emma Rigby has announced she is moving on from hit Channel 4 show Hollyoaks.
The 19-year-old actress has played troubled Hannah Ashworth for four years.
‘I've been on Hollyoaks since I was 15 and I've grown up on the show,' she says.
'I'm so very fortunate to be given the opportunity to learn my craft in such a fantastic environment.
'I just feel that the time is right to move on and hopefully get into dramas and films as I love to play different roles.’
Emma's portrayal of her character's battle with anorexia won her a Best Actress prize at this year’s British Soap Awards.
Hollyoaks producer Bryan Kirkwood says Emma still has some great storylines coming up.
‘It's a real shame that Emma has decided to leave Hollyoaks but viewers will see her on screen until June 2009 and we can guarantee another brilliant year in the show for her.'
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