The latest Emmerdale episode, airing on December 20, took a deeply emotional turn as Amelia Spencer, portrayed by Daisy Campbell, announced her permanent departure from the village after an impressive 13-year run. Fans were left stunned by her heartfelt farewell, but one detail caught their attention — the surprisingly indifferent reactions from Sam and Lydia Dingle. As Amelia made the difficult decision to leave, many viewers were left questioning why the couple seemed so calm about her exit, especially considering they were the grandparents of her daughter, Esther.

Amelia’s departure was made even more poignant by the unexpected return of Daz Spencer, her estranged biological father, who had been absent from the village for five years. Daz’s surprise appearance was a key moment in the episode, as he offered to help Amelia with her relocation. Together, they revealed that Amelia had been in ongoing contact with her father and was planning to move away with Esther to live with him, following the fallout from Tom King’s conviction. This decision had been brewing for some time, and although Sam and Lydia, as Esther’s grandparents, were understandably upset, they ultimately gave their blessing, albeit with heavy hearts.

The emotional weight of the episode was amplified by a meaningful conversation Amelia shared with her stepmother, Carrie Wyatt. Despite Carrie’s initial attempts to dissuade her from leaving, Amelia found reassurance and strength in a touching discussion with Belle Dingle, which convinced her that leaving the village was the right choice. As the episode came to a close, viewers watched as Amelia drove away for good, marking the end of her time in the village. It was a heart-wrenching moment that left many fans visibly emotional, especially with the unresolved questions about Sam and Lydia’s reaction.

One viewer took to social media, expressing their surprise at how easily Sam and Lydia accepted Amelia’s decision to leave with Esther, stating, “Didn’t expect Sam and Lydia to accept Amelia’s decision to leave with Esther. It just didn’t seem like enough emotion from them considering how much of her life they were part of.” Other fans echoed this sentiment, with some questioning why Amelia’s departure wasn’t met with more emotional resistance from the Dingles. One fan wrote, “Sam and Lydia have surprisingly accepted Amelia’s decision. They’ve been a big part of her life, so it’s strange to see them so nonchalant about her leaving.”

Amelia’s departure also sparked a broader reflection on her character’s journey, with fans commenting on the emotional weight of her exit after 13 years. “What a 13 years for Amelia. Sad to see her go, but it feels like she has no family left there now. There’s not much more they could have done with her character,” wrote one fan, acknowledging the natural end to her story arc.

In an emotional interview with The Mirror, Daisy Campbell opened up about her own feelings surrounding Amelia’s departure. “It feels really sad. It’s mixed emotions, really,” she confessed. “I think it’s been such a tough year, and I’ve had to deal with so much, but I was at peace when leaving because I’ve grieved.” Campbell revealed that leaving Emmerdale after so many years was an emotional rollercoaster. “I’m not only grieving for myself, but also for the character I’ve always played. It felt really sad, but it was nice to close the door and be at peace because I’ve allowed it to play out as it has this year,” she explained.

The actress admitted that it was difficult to leave a role she had known since childhood, as Amelia had been a part of her life since she was just 7 years old. “It’s been upsetting because it’s all I’ve ever known,” Campbell said. “But I’m looking forward to new things, maybe new roles next year, who knows? But it’s definitely been really sad.”

As fans bid farewell to Amelia, her departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Emmerdale. The character’s journey from a troubled teen to a mother has been one of growth, pain, and resilience, and her exit leaves a void that will be hard to fill. Whether or not she’ll return in the future remains uncertain, but for now, viewers will have to say goodbye to Amelia, Esther, and Daz, as they begin a new chapter away from the Dales.