Chelsea Halfpenny says there would be "no point" returning to 'Emmerdale' before exploring other career opportunities.

Chelsea Halfpenny

Chelsea Halfpenny

The 'Casualty' star is due to depart her role as Alicia Munroe in the medical drama this weekend after four years on the BBC One show, but her next stop will definitely not be the Yorkshire Dales.

Quizzed on whether she could return to the village as Amy Wyatt - who she portrayed from 2010 to 2013 - Chelsea said: "No, I'm not - I'm definitely not.

"There would be no point in leaving one long-running show to go back to the one you were in before. There are other things in my career that I'd like to do. For now, it's a 'no'. "

The 27-year-old actress - whose mum is former 'Coronation Street' and 'EastEnders' actress Jill Halfpenny - admits her decision to depart 'Casualty' is so she can progress her career, a similar reason why she left 'Emmerdale'.

Speaking to Digital Spy, she added: "I've been there for a few years and I just felt like it was time for me to move on and progress. I had a really good time there and I wanted to leave on a high."

Chelsea was part of the reason that 'Casualty' scooped the Soap & Continuing Drama TV BAFTA last year, and after winning the accolade the cast admitted they were convinced her former employers 'Emmerdale' would triumph in the category.

They told BANG Showbiz: "We thought 'Emmerdale' were the big rivals. We are just delighted to beat all of them."

But Oliver Kent, head of continuing drama, said: "I thought it was going to be 'Hollyoaks', and deservedly so because we're in amazing company.

"We were all backing different horses but none of us were backing 'Casualty'."