Zoe banged up

Zoe Tate, the lesbian vet who has had a tough time of it in Emmerdale recently, has begun her swan song as actress Leah Bracknell prepares to leave th

15:03 16 September 2005

Zoe Tate, the lesbian vet who has had a tough time of it in Emmerdale recently, has begun her swan song as actress Leah Bracknell prepares to leave the show.

But Zoe won't go quietly, that's for sure. After trying to slaughter Scott as if he were a horse needing to be put down, the raunchy animal doctor goes up in front of Hotton crown court and is sentenced to ten years in jail.

She makes a bid for freedom, which goes wrong, and then tries to force Paddy to fib to the jury, which also goes wrong. So Zoe has to accept her incarcerated fate, and Leah has to accept that she is leaving the show for good.

"I've had a lovely time, but I want to try new challenges," the 41-year-old actress told the Daily Star.

"I do hope that Zoe Tate will return but I am very pleased with the way they have tied up this part of her story."

Perhaps, in about five years' time when Leah's post-Dales career needs a boost, Zoe will be miraculously released early from prison.