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"Emmerdale star Rik Makarem has announced that he is leaving the soap. The actor has been playing the role of businessman Nikhil Sharma since autumn 2009.  Makarem told itv.com: &amp;quot;What a privilege for four years to be a part of such a brilliant show! Along with the creative team, it&amp;#039;s been so enjoyable crafting the many wonderful &amp;#039;under-surface&amp;#039; colours and quirks to my character. I will treasure the experience deeply. &amp;quot;When making my decision to leave, on both artistic and personal levels, I listened very closely to my heart. I&amp;#039;m naturally ambitious - I believe in taking risks, as that&amp;#039;s how we truly learn about ourselves, how we grow, and with this integrity in mind, I&amp;#039;m completely inspired for the journey ahead.&amp;quot; Sian Reese-Williams, who plays Nikhil&amp;#039;s wife Gennie, has also recently revealed that she is bowing out from the programme. The show&amp;#039;s official website confirms that Nikhil and Gennie will continue to appear &amp;quot;throughout most of the summer&amp;quot;, but details of how the popular couple leave are currently being kept under wraps.  Nikhil and Gennie have featured prominently on screen in the last year as they welcomed the arrival of their baby daughter Molly in the 40th anniversary live episode. More recently, the pair tied the knot and have been supporting Gennie&amp;#039;s adoptive mother Brenda after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - press play below to watch Amie Parker-Williams reveal gossip on an Emmerdale van crash, EastEnders court hearing, Coronation Street scam and a new arrival for Hollyoaks.  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a481899/emmerdale-rik-makarem-leaving-nikhil-sharma-role/>