Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has addressed fan fears that she is set to exit the soap after being cast in a new film role.

Earlier this week it was announced that Hardwick, best known for her role on the soap as nurse Vanessa Woodfield, had been cast in the upcoming film Eyes of Bairns.

Directed by Katie Fenton-Green and written by Chloe McLaughlin, the short film is about growing up in the shadow of domestic abuse.

Per the official Instagram page for the film, which is currently in the crowdfunding stage, Eyes of Bairns “explores what it’s like to grow up as a child of domestic abuse and asks the question… does everyone deserve forgiveness?”

Hardwick is on board to play Rose, who is described as having “a strong moral compass”, however, she is “thrown for a loop when her estranged father asks to see her on his death bed”.

The description continues: “Now happily married to her wife, Rose is a million miles from her difficult upbringing. She hasn’t seen her dad in over twenty years and if it was up to her she’d quite happily never see him again.

“Will Rose get the answers she needs? Will Rose get the apology she desperately wants? And even if she does, will Rose forgive her father?”

Following the announcement that Hardwick had joined the cast, fans took the comment section on Instagram to share their concerns that she would be leaving Emmerdale.

One fan commented: “Thought for a min you was leaving Emmerdale was gonna cause uproar,” while another questioned: “HOLD ON!!!! What about Emmerdale???”

Responding to the latter, Hardwick took to the comment section to clear up any misunderstanding, sharing that she would be appearing in the film alongside the soap.

“Alongside it,” she wrote, with the fan replying: “Panic over, carry on as normal, good luck x”.