Louisa Clein thanks owl for making 'epic' Emmerdale episode 'bearable'

Louisa Clein has thanked an owl and her co-stars for making the filming of last night\'s (07.05.19) "epic" \'Emmerdale\' flashback episode "bearable".

The 40-year-old actress\' character Maya Stepney was left for dead by Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), Tracy Metalfe (Amy Walsh) and Priya Kotecha (Fiona Wade) during the second of last night\'s Dales double bill, which saw her hiding out from the trio in the middle of the woods in what were "intense cold and smelly" conditions for Louisa to shoot.

Just as the trio approached the entrance of a dark, dank dwelling she was hiding in, an owl swooped towards the triple threat, and Louisa - whose teacher character has been grooming Leyla\'s son Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) - has praised the bird\'s performance and thanked fans for their positive reaction to the episode.

She wrote on Instagram: "Blown away by all your amazing messages about tonight\'s episode. Thank you. It was an epic intense cold and smelly experience made bearable by the best team and an owl. (sic)

Louisa also shared several pictures of herself in make-up having her face made to look battered and bruised.

Last night, Maya jumped out of Priya\'s moving car to escape the trio before heading into the woods to escape them, despite having a badly injured leg.

But Leyla soon caught up with her and after a brawl on the muddy ground she whacked Maya over the head and left her for dead in a smelly stream.

While the trio left, viewers saw Maya wake up and head to the village to see Jacob, who she convinced to go on the run with her.