Emmerdale star Sam Hall has apparently been dismissed from the soap after 15 years.
The 20-year-old actor started playing the role of Samson Dingle when he was just five, but his character will now be written out, sources say.
A source said: ‘Sam had a meeting with bosses earlier this month where they delivered the news.
‘He has been left devastated. He’s grown up with his on-screen Dingle family and they are all very protective of him.
‘Some of the cast even went to talk to bosses about their decision.’
‘As news of his dismissal spread through the building there were quite a lot of angry Dingles.’
The insider added to The Sun: ‘The fact that they are planning on writing him out means there’ll be no way back for him either. He’s absolutely gutted.’
It’s said those rallying around to support him include his on-screen dad James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle.
Sam took on the role of Samson from fellow child actor Charlie Pell in 2009.
In addition to his recurring role in Emmerdale, he starred in the one-off special The Dingles – For Richer For Poorer.
Sam has tackled challenging storylines in the ITV series, including becoming a teenage father.
He previously told Metro.co.uk that he was excited for young people to be taking centre stage in the soap, saying: ‘I think it's great to give the teenagers these storylines as it gives us a chance to film something different and show the younger people in the village.’
He added: ‘I love the scenes where he is getting up to no good without a doubt. I would be friends with Samson in real life because deep down he is a good lad!’
‘As my character gets older, it gives me the opportunity to be in bigger storylines and the chance to develop Samson’s character,’ Sam continued.
‘I’ve enjoyed every minute of working there and look forward to the rest. I love being a Dingle, I couldn't ask for anything better. It’s great every time I get to film with the family. In fact after filming with them for so many years, it doesn't feel like work at all.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment.
