Sally Dexter has confirmed that Faith Dingle will lose her cancer battle in Emmerdale in the coming months.

In May, Faith received the devastating news that her cancer had returned and was incurable - and in scenes airing this week, the Dingles are left in shock when it emerges that the cancer has started to spread.

Speaking to TV Times magazine, Dexter confirmed that the storyline will end with Faith's death as she exits the soap after five-and-a-half years in the role.

"Some of the script reflects how I feel – she's hurtling towards her end and I'm hurtling towards the end of my time in Emmerdale," she said.

"Even though I think it's the right thing, it's quite devastating because I'm going to leave behind people I really care about, like Jeff [Hordley], Lucy [Pargeter] and Natalie [J Robb].

"It's extraordinary to be working with them. I don't just mean their acting abilities, but them as human beings."

She continued: "I think [the storyline] is excellent. I haven't read the scripts for her death, but I'm hoping it's as positive as it can be. This isn't just a story about a cancer; it's a wider story about family.

"That great thing about death is the thing that happens before it, that thing called life, and all the love that goes with it. I'd love it if everyone watching had a little bottle of gin, to toast her!"

The timing of Faith's exit has not yet been confirmed, although the storyline could play a part in Emmerdale's 50th anniversary episodes in October.