Emmerdale star reveals she quit acting career to be a teacher after being named the ‘sexiest soap star’ in the noughties

She was named as the ‘sexiest soap star’ when she starred in the ITV soap.

But now a major Emmerdale star has turned her back on fame and switched up her career to become a teacher.

Adele Silva, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor, is now working as a teacher at the National Film and Television School..

The actress also shares an eight-year-old daughter Sienna with Oliver Farber, after suffering three miscarriages. 

Adele, who also made an appearances in Hollyoaks in 2015, is remembered for being part of a number of steamy affair storylines during her time on Emmerdale from 1993-2011.

Quit fame: Adele Silva, 42, who played the character Kelly Windsor, is now a mother and teacher at the National Film and Television School

The star quit Emmerdale following her pregnancy with Sienna and decided not to return for her on-screen sister’s final scenes in the soap because she wanted to concentrate on her first child.

Adele, who first appeared in Emmerdale in 1993, was introduced as the daughter of Viv and Vic Windsor.

During her time on the soap, her character Kelly was involved in a series of controversial storylines including dating her teacher, having an affair with her stepbrother and taking a drug overdose.

Following a five-year break from the show from 2000 to 2005, Kelly returned to the Dales and quickly began a relationship with Jimmy King.

But it was after Jimmy jilted her in 2007 on their wedding day after he discovered she had aborted their unborn baby to secure a modelling contract, that heartbroken Kelly fled the village.

In real life, Adele moved to Los Angeles in a bid to find fame as a movie star, but her dreams were dashed and she was revealed to have taken a job as a shop assistant.

After the Daily Mail published pictures of the actress cleaning and stocking up in Ted Baker on Melrose Avenue, Adele said: ‘I’m a jobbing actress and in this climate you can either sell your soul or do an honest day’s work.’ 

The actress, who returned to the soap for another brief stint in 2011, revealed last year that she wouldn’t rule of making another return to the soap. 

Throwback: Adele, who also made an appearance in the cast of Hollyoaks in 2015, is remembered for being apart of a number of affairs on Emmerdale from 1993-2011

Onscreen romance: Following a five-year break from the show from 2000 to 2005, Kelly returned to the Dales and quickly began a relationship with Jimmy King

Mini-me: The actress shares her eight-year-old daughter Sienna with Oliver Farber, after suffering three miscarriage’s

She told The Sun: ‘I’d definitely go back if they asked me. Obviously Kelly’s son is there and she’s not seen him for years. 

‘Then there’s little April. You can imagine Marlon’s face if her auntie Kelly turned up. He’d be horrified.

‘My little girl is a bit older now. She’s happy and settled, it’s been great spending time at home with her being a mum. That’s the thing about working on a soap like Emmerdale. 

‘It’s so full on. You’re up early, work late and then have to learn your lines for the next day.’