Ella Forster’s (Paula Lane) secret from her past was a huge storyline that aired in 2024.

Once she had arrived in the village, it became apparent that Ella was regularly visiting a lady called June in a care home. Eventually, we learnt she had built up a strong connection with an unwell June, who was the mother of the young girl Ella killed when she was a child.

After June died, Ella’s boyfriend Liam (Jonny McPherson) learnt of her secret at the funeral. As the father of a teenager who was also murdered, Liam was devastated and hurt over Ella keeping such a huge secret from him.

It’s been Ella’s connection with Liam – or lack thereof – that has been the focus ever since. Eventually, Liam ended his relationship with Ella because he realised he wanted to be with Chas (Lucy Pargeter).

Wendy looks shocked as she’s confronted by Bob and Brenda in Emmerdale
Wendy gets desperate (Picture: ITV)
With Paula Lane’s exit from the soap rumoured to be happening in February, Ella looks set to clash with more members of the village before her final scenes air.

At the start of next week, Rhona (Zoe Henry) discovers someone has written an article about her on the Hotten Courier’s website. It’s to do with her past involving the kidnapping of baby Ivy, and it also suggests she might be responsible for April’s (Amelia Flanagan) disappearance.