ITV Emmerdale star's new life running 'weed bar' after soap exit

Former Emmerdale actress Kelli Hollis, who found happiness running her own “weed bar” in Thailand, has vowed never to return to the UK.

Kelli Hollis, a former Emmerdale star, moved from the Yorkshire Dales to Thailand, where she currently owns and operates a “weed bar.” She’s found happiness in a more laid-back lifestyle overseas and has made the decision that she will never return to the UK.

Kelli says, “I am never coming home, never going home. Obviously, I miss England and there are aspects of my life there like I have two grown-up children at home and a grandson. But you only live once and I have learned that a lot over the last few years, losing friends to things and my friend losing a child and it just makes you access a lot of things in your life.”

She continues, “You just have to do what you have to do because you are not promised tomorrow are you? My mentality now is I am nearly 50 f*** it will just do it. There is no point having that ‘oh god I can’t do this and I can’t do that’ attitude. I have been so fortunate in my life that opportunities have come my way,” according to the Daily Star.

Looking back on her acting career, Kelli says she kind of fell into it by accident and that her favorite moments on Emmerdale were spent with the Spencer family. She beams as she recalls her first day and meeting Daisy Campbell’s character, little Amelia, who was missing her two front teeth.

Kelli still keeps in touch with her former coworkers and enjoys reminiscing about her TV days. From her teenage years in Leeds, she went from being a star to becoming a cannabis salesperson. “I remember being at a friend’s house in Beeston and I am not going to name them because I don’t know where they are now or what they are doing so I won’t grass them up,” she said.

“It was 20 odd years ago, oh god, it would be more than 20 odd years ago, but I just remember being about 15 and being at a friend’s house and I already had started smoking with mates in the park and all that. I remember it being hash that you burn and I just remember a lot of blistered fingers and a lot of holes in my clothes.”

Kelli said: “I was just smoking a little bit here and there but as a youngster, I would never have been a big heavy smoker. I actually don’t like the feeling of being stoned and I know some people do.”

Now, instead of smoking, Kelli enjoys edibles. She suggests them for relaxation and to help with pain for those who’d rather not smoke. She explained how her new venture began by ‘total accident’ when she moved to Thailand because her partner got a job in Bangkok.