Emmerdale’s Leyla Harding could forgive cheating fiance Pete Barton when and if she discovers his affair with her best friend, the actress has admitted.

Roxy Shahidi’s character is due to marry her deceptive boyfriend (Anthony Quinlan) in Thursday night’s double-bill wedding special but he has yet to admit to his fling with her maid of honour Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade).

Both wife and husband-to-be have hinted towards their doubts in the lead-up to the big day but it is still a mystery whether the truth will finally come out.

Speaking at an event ahead of the ITV soap’s broadcast, Shahidi said: “I think initially she could forgive him, if he cried enough and said sorry enough I think she would want to believe him because she wants to be with someone and make a go of it.

“But she would then punish him for the rest of his life, so I don’t think it would work out long-term.”

She continued: “Because her pain would be so deep, I don’t think she could forgive Priya.”

Asked if the storyline could lead to a “cat fight” between the two girlfriends, she hinted: “I hope so” while Emmerdale producer Iain MacLeod joked: “No comment”.

As the wedding looms, Quinlan said he had been receiving mixed messages from fans about which of the two women Pete should choose.

“Some say he should be with Leyla, some say he should be with Priya and some think they should both sack him off completely,” he said.

In his own opinion, he added: “I think Pete should step up to the plate and do the right thing.”

Emmerdale continues on ITV at 7pm on Thursday.