Emmerdale fans haven’t seen Jai Sharma’s daughter Mia Macey on their ITV screens since 2011.
But in her time on the soap, actress Sapphire Elia certainly made her mark on the Dales – from discovering her true parentage after realising Declan Macey wasn’t her real dad, to being killed off in a car accident.
Mia also had her fair share of feuds in the village, as her boyfriend Adam Barton became involved in an affair with her mum Ella Hart. When Mia found out, she didn’t hesitate to knee him in the crotch.
But what has actress Sapphire been up to since quitting the soap? From a total career change alongside her partner to her utter transformation from her soap days, Daily Star takes a look.
Total transformation
Speaking about her decision to leave the soap, Sapphire said at the time: “I’m really open-minded. I’ve learnt so much on Emmerdale in just a year, but I’m quite excited about what might be out there.
“I wouldn’t not do a soap, but I’d like to do as much of the things that I haven’t done as possible – and do some more singing.
“A West End show would be lovely – I haven’t done that since I was 10, when I was in Les Misérables.”
And since leaving the soap behind, she has undergone a complete transformation, ditching Mia’s trademark brunette bob and opting for a longer, sleeker hairstyle.
In snaps posted to her Instagram page, Sapphire often rocks a chic high ponytail or lets her dark tresses fall around her face.
In one incredible snap, the brunette bombshell poured her curves into a teeny black tank top which left her flat tummy on display, with her tresses falling around her face and tickling her collarbone.
She also regularly shares snaps alongside her partner, Matthew Adams – and the pair look totally loved-up as they trot around Worthing in West Sussex together.
Modelling past
Sapphire didn’t start out as an actress, however – as from the tender age of just three years old, she was already a model for companies including Dolce & Gabbana, Selfridges and Debenhams.
She also appeared in a range of adverts before finally being cast in the Palace Theatre production of Les Mis when she was only 10 years old.
Speaking about her past career, she told Image34 Magazine in 2012: “I actually started out as a child model doing all sorts of shoots and commercials.
“At one point I was known as the McDonalds girl – I did a commercial for them when I was [seven] and it was very popular at the time.”
She giggled: “And no, I did not get free food. Still a question people ask me now!”
Sapphire then went on to train at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, before landing roles in everything from The Bill to Britannia High.
Career change
Since leaving Emmerdale, Sapphire has gone on to score a range of other acting roles, with her most recent being the flick I Am Vengeance in 2018, along with a role in the Cinderella pantomime at Redditch Palace Theatre.
But she has also gone ahead and launched her very own business alongside her partner Matthew.
The pair share Alterniq Inspired Growth – a company which aims to help businesses and employees “grow together”.
The business offers coaching, programmes and workshops as well as assessment centres to help other businesses grow, with Sapphire’s bio on the website claiming she “cares deeply about everyone involved with alterniq inspired growth” and has a “hands-on approach”.
Gym snaps
(Image: Instagram)
Sapphire regularly delights her fans on Instagram by posting a range of incredible gym snaps.
She often shares candid snaps when she’s headed for a workout, and isn’t afraid to show off her abs in a range of posts.
Sapphire shared that she was getting in shape to star in a pantomime last year, taking a mirror selfie in nothing but a black bra and a chunky pair of black sweatpants.
The star left her bare tummy on full display for the smoking hot snap, matching her look with a pair of black Converse and letting her brunette tresses fall almost to her waist.
She captioned the snap: “Really enjoying staying fit during panto run this year. Might I even get some abs?!”
Her fans hopped into the comments section to show her some love, with one writing: “Amazing!”
“Another slamming look, Sapphire! Hope you’re enjoying panto!” someone else praised, as another added: “Beautiful.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7:30pm on ITV.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
