Emmerdale star pays tribute to ‘beautiful’ soap as he exits after 17 years

Jack Downham says farewell to the Dales after 17 years (Picture: ITV) After 17 years in the Dales, Emmerdale star Jack Downham has officially said goodbye to Noah Dingle, and he’s marked the occasion with a heartfelt tribute to the ITV soap that has been his home for most of his life. Jack made his final appearance as Noah in Wednesday night’s episode, bringing an end to a role he’s played since he was a child. Taking to Instagram after the emotional episode aired, the actor shared a carousel of photos looking back on his time on the show, from his early days as a youngster right through to some of Noah’s biggest storylines. Alongside the snaps, Jack reflected on nearly two decades in the village. He wrote: ‘Noah Dingle over & out. What a bloody beautiful place to have worked for 17 years!’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. The actor then looked back at some memorable moments from his time on the soap, joking about everything from his very first day on set and some questionable hairstyles to one of Noah’s prison storylines and a series of behind-the-scenes pictures with his castmates. He rounded things off with a simple farewell: ‘R.I.P Noah.’ It didn’t take long for friends and co-stars to flood the comments section with messages of support as they wished Jack well for whatever comes next. Former Coronation Street star Colson Smith commented: ‘The world is yours Jack.’ Meanwhile, Jack’s Emmerdale co-star Laura Norton wrote: ‘The most lovely young man. We will miss you lots like jelly tots.’ Jack’s departure comes after Noah decided to take a job opportunity in Germany. Although his mum Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) initially struggled with the idea of her son moving abroad, she eventually realised she couldn’t stand in the way of his future. In Wednesday’s episode, Charity put her emotions aside and encouraged Noah to chase his dreams, giving him the support he needed as he prepared to leave the village behind. However, Noah’s farewell was overshadowed by another emotional moment for the Dingle family. Long-time family dog Monty was rushed to the vets after his health suddenly deteriorated, leaving the family fearing the worst. Sadly, there was nothing that could be done to save him. Monty was a huge part of the Dingle family (Picture: ITV) In heartbreaking scenes, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) said an emotional goodbye to the much-loved pet, thanking him for years of loyalty before asking his late father, Zak Dingle, to look after him. Fighting back tears, Cain told the dying dog: ‘You are a good boy. I know my dad was always grateful for having you.’ He continued by asking Monty to tell Zak how much the family missed him before softly adding: ‘We love you, scruffy old thing.’ As Rhona confirmed Monty had passed away, it marked another devastating loss for the Dingles before Noah quietly headed off to begin his new life. The emotional goodbye came just weeks after it emerged that Jack would be leaving the soap. At the time, reports claimed the actor had already filmed his final scenes, with sources suggesting the news came as a surprise to many behind the scenes. Jack joined the soap in 2009 at just 6 years old (Picture: ITV) One insider told The Sun that Jack is hugely popular with cast and crew, having grown up on the programme after joining as a child. The source added that his departure had left many wondering who could be next as a number of familiar faces continue to leave the long-running soap. Despite the uncertainty, those close to Jack say he’s staying positive and is excited to see what opportunities lie ahead after spending almost two decades playing Noah. For fans, though, his departure marks the end of an era. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you Having watched Noah grow from a mischievous youngster into one of the village’s familiar faces, many viewers have taken to social media to thank Jack for 17 years on the soap and wish him well for his next chapter. Arrow MORE: Two more Emmerdale legends gone in one episode after many years – and one is dead Arrow MORE: Emmerdale cast take to the skies in plane stunt and our hearts are in our mouths Arrow MORE: Emmerdale offers key update on Amelia 2 years after show exit The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.