Eva O'Hara has admitted that she was in disbelief when Hollyoaks producers told her how her character Verity would be written out of the soap.
In shock scenes that aired on Tuesday, Verity was viciously attacked by youngster Bobby (Jayden Fox), who left her injured underneath a heavy bookshelf.
Eventually she managed to get herself free and stagger into the village, but she collapsed in the arms of her brother Tony (Nick Pickard) and subsequently died from a cardiac arrest.
"We made this decision to try and keep it a secret," O'Hara told the Daily Star. "Often you kind of know if someone's leaving beforehand but it was like 'let's get that shock factor for when Verity leaves'.
"The scenes were emotionally tough and her final few hours are quite lonely. It really was genuinely sad."
She continued: "I wanted something meaty and emotional if Verity was to leave.
"It was quite a while ago I sort of let on that I might be leaving so production could really have a think about a justified ending or a death, which is think is important for the storyline.
"Discovering Bobby is her killer was really quite something. I couldn't believe it.
"I want him to be caught out. It's so heartless and there's no connection there so I do hope that there's some justice for Verity."
Hollyoaks continues weekdays on Channel 4, E4 and All 4.
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