# Roxy Shahidi

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English actress (born 1983)

Roxy Shahidi Born (1983-03-14) 14 March 1983 (age 43) Manchester, England Other name Rokhsaneh Ali[1] Occupations Actress screenwriter Years active 2005–present Television Emmerdale Dancing on Ice Spouse Arsher Ali ​ (m. 2010)​ Children 1

**Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi** ([Persian](/source/Persian_language): رخسانه قوام شهيدي; born 14 March 1983) is an English actress and screenwriter. She is known for portraying from 2008 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2025 the role of [Leyla Harding](/source/Leyla_Harding) in [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_channel)) soap *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*. In 2024, she was a contestant on the [sixteenth series](/source/Dancing_on_Ice_(series_16)) of *[Dancing on Ice](/source/Dancing_on_Ice)*.

## Early life

Shahidi was born Rokhsaneh Gwaham-Shahidi on 14 March 1983 to an Iranian father and an English mother, and grew up in [Whalley Range](/source/Whalley_Range%2C_Manchester) in [Manchester](/source/Manchester).[2][3] She became a vegetarian at the age of 8, and has been a vegan since the age of 21.[4]

## Career

Shahidi began her career as part of Contact Young Actors Company in 2004 and went on to work for Peskar Productions as a drama workshop leader in [Oldham](/source/Oldham) and [Bolton](/source/Bolton).[5] Her theatre credits include *[East is East](/source/East_is_East_(play))*, *Janus* (for [West Yorkshire Playhouse](/source/West_Yorkshire_Playhouse)), *[Christie Malry's Own Double Entry](/source/Christie_Malry's_Own_Double_Entry)* at the [Palace Theatre, Manchester](/source/Palace_Theatre%2C_Manchester), *Freshly Scratched* (for the [Battersea Arts Centre](/source/Battersea_Arts_Centre)) and *[Rafta, Rafta...](/source/Rafta%2C_Rafta...)* at the [National Theatre](/source/Royal_National_Theatre).[6] Shahidi made her on-screen debut in the [BBC Three](/source/BBC_Three) comedy-drama series *[Sinchronicity](/source/Sinchronicity)* in 2006. She has also acted in [radio plays](/source/Radio_plays), e.g. Nadeem Aslam's *[Maps for Lost Lovers](/source/Maps_for_Lost_Lovers)*. From November 2012 through to January 2013 she played the role of Shahrazad in the Manchester Library Theatre Company performances of [Arabian Nights](/source/Arabian_Nights) at the Lowry Theatre in Salford, near Manchester.[7]

In August 2008, Shahidi joined the cast of the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_channel)) soap opera *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)* as [Leyla Harding](/source/Leyla_Harding).[8] After departing the role in August 2011, Shahidi returned to *Emmerdale* for two episodes in December 2013, before reprising the role on a permanent basis from January 2014. Her character was killed off in a limousine crash in February 2025, with Shahidi making her final appearance in a flashback the following month.[9] In 2022, Shahidi and *Emmerdale* co-star [Matthew Wolfenden](/source/Matthew_Wolfenden) were co-signed to United Agents as screenwriters. They collaborated on an episode of the [BBC](/source/BBC) medical drama *[Holby City](/source/Holby_City)* and three episodes of the BBC soap opera *[Doctors](/source/Doctors_(2000_TV_series))*.[1] In 2024, Shahidi appeared as a contestant on the [sixteenth series](/source/Dancing_on_Ice_(series_16)) of *[Dancing on Ice](/source/Dancing_on_Ice)*.[10][11] She was paired with [Sylvain Longchambon](/source/Sylvain_Longchambon) and was fourth to be eliminated.[12]

## Personal life

Shahidi married actor [Arsher Ali](/source/Arsher_Ali) in 2010. They have a daughter together born in 2018.[13][14]

Shahidi has set up a Yoga Lunch Club in the Creative Quarter in [Hockley](/source/Hockley%2C_Nottingham), [Greater Nottingham](/source/Greater_Nottingham) where she also is based.[15] She also has a YouTube channel on which she regularly shares yoga videos.[16]

## Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s) 2006 Emmerdale Lila Wray 1 episode Guest role 2006 Sinchronicity Ivory 1 episode [17] 2008–2011, 2013–2025 Emmerdale Leyla Harding Regular role [18] 2013 National Theatre Live: Othello Bianca Live theatre [19] 2020 Naimh Armstrong: On A Different Planet Miss Hussain Short film [20] 2024 Dancing on Ice Herself Contestant; series 16 [21] 2024 Drama Queens Herself Main cast [22]

## Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref. 2019 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actress Nominated [23] 2019 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Longlisted [24]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-United_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-United_1-1) ["Rokhsaneh Ali & Matthew Wolfenden"](https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/rokhsaneh-ali-matthew-wolfenden#:~:text=Matthew%20is%20a%20Northern%20Actor,team%2C%20and%20developing%20original%20ideas.). United Agents. Retrieved 15 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Shahidi, Roxy (12 March 2014). ["Birthday gifts galore !!! Thanks Sammy Winward xxxxpic.twitter.com/sZmr5SzjyR"](https://twitter.com/roxyshahidi/status/443831601731239936). *@roxyshahidi*. Retrieved 8 February 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Rokhsaneh clears up age 'fact'"](http://metro.co.uk/2009/10/30/rokhsaneh-clears-up-age-fact-526365/). *[Metro](/source/Metro_(British_newspaper))*. 30 October 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Celebrity Health - Roxy Shahidi"](https://www.yourhealthyliving.co.uk/roxy-shahidi). *Your Healthy Living*. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Emmerdale's Roxy Shahidi's real life from playing Leyla to famous husband"](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/emmerdale-star-roxy-shahidis-famous-21200167). *[Leeds Live](/source/Leeds_Live)*. August 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Roxy Shahidi"](https://www.intertalentgroup.com/client/roxy-shahidi/#:~:text=Theatre%20credits%20include%20Othello%20(National,West%20Yorkshire%20Playhouse)%3B%20Freshly). *Inter Talent Group*. Retrieved 23 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Rokhsaneh talks Arabian Nights"](https://homemcr.org/article/rokhsaneh-ghawam-shahidi-talks-arabian-nights/). *Home Manchester*. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ryan, Kathryn (17 July 2008). ["Emmerdale soap debut for actress"](http://menmedia.co.uk/prestwichadvertiser/news/s/1058678_emmerdale_soap_debut_for_actress). *Prestwich Advertiser*. Retrieved 11 June 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["'Emmerdale' Leyla: 'Leaving show was tough decision'"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a332740/emmerdale-leyla-leaving-show-was-tough-decision/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["First look at Emmerdale's Roxy Shahidi during Dancing on Ice training"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a45581620/dancing-on-ice-roxy-shahidi-training/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Roxy Shahidi to step away from Emmerdale for Dancing on Ice"](https://metro.co.uk/2023/12/18/roxy-shahidi-step-away-emmerdale-dancing-ice-19990482/). *[Metro](/source/Metro_(British_newspaper))*. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Two icons eliminated from Dancing On Ice in double devastation"](https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/11/soap-icon-becomes-fourth-star-eliminated-dancing-ice-20261012/). *metro.co.uk*. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Kayleigh Dray (23 October 2014). ["Emmerdale's Roxy Shahidi: 'My husband proposed before we'd even kissed'"](http://www.closeronline.co.uk/2014/10/emmerdale-s-roxy-shahidi-my-husband-proposed-before-we-d-even-kissed#.VNfZbvmsWH4). gb: Closeronline.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Showbiz, entertainment and media news - Digital Spy"](http://www.bestdaily.co.uk/television/news/a605350/emmerdale-actress-roxy-shahidi-reveals-her-marriage-isnt-legal-yet.html). Bestdaily.co.uk. 3 February 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** GemmaToulson (29 March 2015). ["Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi launches yoga lunch club in Nottingham"](http://www.nottinghampost.com/Emmerdale-actress-Roxy-Shahidi-launches-Midlands/story-26249835-detail/story.html). Nottingham Post. Retrieved 29 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["YogaRox"](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_U1IbCTUqsW36CFMxUcrsA/about). YouTube. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Emmerdale Star Roxy Shahidi is the twelfth celebrity confirmed to be taking part in the new series of Dancing on Ice"](https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-releases/emmerdale-star-roxy-shahidi-twelfth-celebrity-confirmed-be-taking-part-new-series). *[ITV Press Centre](/source/ITV_Press_Centre)*. Retrieved 23 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi explains Leyla's role in Christmas proposal story"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a46162166/emmerdale-spoilers-roxy-shahidi-leyla-christmas-story/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Roxy Shahidi – Plex"](https://watch.plex.tv/en-GB/person/roxy-shahidi). *plex.tv*. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Roxy Shahidi"](https://www.advoice.co.uk/clients/roxy-shahidi/). *Ad Voice*. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Emmerdale star Roxy Shahidi reveals how Dancing on Ice will affect Leyla role"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a46155105/emmerdale-star-roxy-shahidi-dancing-on-ice-leyla/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["ITV confirms new spinoff series with stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale"](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/24038988.itv-new-show-follows-stars-coronation-street-emmerdale/). *The Northern Echo*. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["TVCA Long List 2019"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190530235302/https://display.engagesciences.com/display/container/dc/6ae984d9-721c-4609-9bd7-eae43a8ef937). *[TV Choice](/source/TV_Choice)*. Archived from [the original](http://xd.wayin.com/display/container/dc/6ae984d9-721c-4609-9bd7-eae43a8ef937) on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["*Inside Soap* Awards 2019 longlist has been revealed"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a28250686/inside-soap-awards-2019-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. July 2019.

## External links

- [Roxy Shahidi](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2966523/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Roxy Shahidi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Shahidi) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Shahidi?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.