In recent episodes, Ella, played by Paula, had been framed for drugging Chas Dingle after a fall in The Woolpack
Paula Lane has blessed our TV screens on not one but two hit ITV soaps in the last two decades. Her character Ella Forster is currently at the centre of a whirlwind drama in the fictional village of Emmerdale. In recent episodes, Ella had been framed for drugging Chas Dingle after a fall in The Woolpack.
Many villagers were concerned, as her fiancé Liam pointed his finger at his ex-girlfriend Ella who he thought was responsible for Chas’s overdose. Ella denied messing with the medication, but other members of the village had started to turn against her, as she became the number one suspect as the “psycho” ex-girlfriend who had a real motive to harm Liam’s new fiancée.
Paula often takes to Instagram to update her fans on the Emmerdale drama. She recently told fans to “hold tight” as her character’s tragic storyline gets underway.
She captioned the post: “Thank you for all your lovely messages on last night’s ep @emmerdale, it’s like Cluedo in the dales! You know it’s gone down well when your agent rings in the afternoon @gardnerherrity. Hold tight!”
Fans took to the comments to praise the actress for her performance. One wrote: “Fab to watch in Corrie and just as talented in this role in Emmerdale. Very well done.” More added to the stream of comments: “You were amazing last night Emmerdale, I really felt sorry for Ella, I think it was John who did it” and “You are one talented lady.”
Paula made her debut in the Dales in January 2024. She traded the drama in Weatherfield to take on the role of Ella Forster, who found herself out of a job when she stuck up for Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley, while she attended a Veterinary Ball with her partner Paddy.
Her appearance came six years after she left the Cobbles as her character Kylie Platt was murdered. Kylie’s life came to a tragic end as she died in her husband David’s arms. Paula described her final scenes as “one of the most shocking deaths in Corrie history”.
She portrayed Kylie from 2010 to 2016, before she was murdered by Shona’s son Clayton Gibbs who is now married to David Platt. The scene in which Kylie died was one of the most heartrending Coronation Street moments to date. Fans cried along at home as David begged his wife to stay with him until the ambulance arrived, before breaking down in absolute heartbreak when he realised she had gone.
During her break inbetween soaps, Paula appeared in several theatre productions and well as taking the part of Vera Sands in Call the Midwife. Discussing her arrival in Emmerdale, she said: “I’m so excited.
“Everyone has been so welcoming and I can’t wait to start a new chapter playing the role of Ella. I’ve already heard there are big plans for her and I can’t wait to see her navigate a new life in the village and hopefully make some friends!”
Jonny McPherson who plays Liam on Emmerdale, has spoken highly of Paula’s acting as Ella, reports Leeds Live. He said: “Paula is just a wonderful lady and impeccably professional who is born of many years working on Corrie.
“Obviously, the genre that we work in is very particular in terms of the working requirements. She’s got more experience than any of us, she was on Corrie for seven years, working 12-hour days, week in, week-out.
“She’s impeccably professional, always fun on-set. Knows her lines and is just lots of fun to be around. The ability to be able to step outside the intensity of a scene and crack a gag and, you know, talk about what you had for tea the night before. She’s definitely on board with that method. It has been an absolute pleasure.”
Away from the screen, Paula was born in West Yorkshire in 1986. After falling in love with performing arts, she bagged herself a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and later gradated with a First Class degree in acting.
She is married to Tom Shaw, her college sweetheart, according to OK Magazine. The couple first met while attending Huddersfield Technical College and later got married in 2014. They have two children, Penny and Arthur and they all live in their family home in Yorkshire.
Fans may recognise Tom from his small appearances in both Coronation Street and Emmerdale. The young actor portrayed Kim Vaughan, a friend of Fiz’s, in Weatherfield. He also took on the role of police officer Craig Bishop on Emmerdale.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.