Emmerdale confirms Mack’s exit story as Lawrence Robb wows on Strictly

| Soaps Reporter Published October 13, 2026 8:58am Updated October 13, 2026 8:58am Lawrence Robb is currently busy in the Strictly ballroom (Picture: ITV/Metro) The following article contains spoilers from the episode of Emmerdale dated October 13. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX and YouTube. As Lawrence Robb continues to impress us all with his dancing talent on Strictly Come Dancing, Emmerdale has now confirmed a brief exit for Mackenzie Boyd. Lawrence, who has played Mackenzie since 2020, successfully survived last week’s Strictly Dance Off alongside professional partner Jowita Przystał. Lawrence and Jowita performed the very first Rumba of the 2026 series on Saturday. They danced to Back to Friends by Sombr, but the routine divided the judging panel. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Get personalised updates on Strictly Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro’s TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we’ll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The duo scored a total of 20 points, but votes from fans meant Lawrence and Jowita secured themselves a place in the next stage of the show. Because Lawrence is incredibly busy learning new routines during the week, and shaking his hips in the Strictly ballroom on Saturday nights, ITV soap Emmerdale has written a small departure storyline for Mack, which was revealed in today’s episode. Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) told Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) that he’s planning on sending Mackenzie to Germany for a farming course. This left Matty somewhat put out, as the character really wanted more help with the daily tasks on Emmerdale Farm. At Jacobs Fold, Mackenzie updated Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) about Robert’s plan for him. Charity was sad at the prospect of Mackenzie being away for a few months, but agreed that it was a great opportunity for him and the future of the farm. Lawrence has played Mackenzie since 2020 (Picture: ITV) And it turns out Mack will be staying near Charity’s son Noah Dingle (Jack Downham), who left the village for work in Germany earlier this year. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Mack could certainly do with a break from life in the Dales, as past year has been full of drama for him. Last summer, he discovered the truth about crazed medic John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). In danger, Mack raced through the woods, but John shot him with a bow and arrow and then knocked him unconscious. Mack was held captive for weeks in an underground bunker near John’s childhood home. After a showdown that resulted in John throwing himself and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) off a ravine, Aaron woke up from his coma and immediately told everyone that Mack was in trouble. Earlier this year, Mackenzie’s world turned upside down when Charity revealed that she had a one-night stand with Ross Barton (Michael Parr), which resulted in her falling pregnant with baby Leyla. Mackenzie has faced a lot of drama over the past year (Picture: ITV) Charity gave birth to the little girl and handed her to Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), allowing her to believe she was conceived as a result of their surrogacy plan. As Mack prepares for his new adventure abroad, Lawrence’s Strictly journey continues. Deals of the Day Families can save up to 20% on summer 2027 holidays in Club Med's four-day sale Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in Most of us aren't getting enough fibre – this easy supplement could change that My honest review of the new UKLash Lash Lift Gel Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather While Mack is leaving the village for now, his exit won’t be forever, with the character expected to return not long after this year’s Strictly champion is revealed. Arrow MORE: Strictly’s Delta Goodrem ‘hospitalised twice’ with grim injury that ruled her out of live show Arrow MORE: Second couple eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing in ‘heartbreaking’ result Arrow MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Bethany Antonia’s trans ally T-shirt edited out of show by BBC The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.