12 December 2023 , 00:01
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Emmerdale 's Leyla Harding actress Roxy Shahidi has opened up about her co-star Matthew Wolfenden's emotional ITV soap exit after 17 years.
Last month, the village bid farewell to Matthew's, 43, character David Metcalfe as he left the Dales for a new life in London after heartbreak. Soap watchers will recall that David recently got more than he bargained for when he found out about son Jacob Gallagher and ex-Victoria Sugden's romance, leaving the soap favourite devastated.
After the bombshell, a hurt David confronted Victoria, calling her a slew of insulting names to which Jacob punched his father in retaliation. Later, a shocked and devastated David broke down in the shop, where he had a heart-to-heart with his dad Eric Pollard, where he admitted it was only him keeping him in the village and he wanted to go to London so he could be with his young daughter Amba. After encouragement from dad Eric, David decided to leave the village.
Emmerdale's Leyla Harding actress Roxy Shahidi has opened up about her co-star Matthew Wolfenden's emotional ITV soap exit after 17 years (ITV)However, before he made his exit, David spoke to Jacob, where things ended very badly after the punch. As Jacob called out for his dad, David cruelly suggested Jacob no longer call him that anymore. The episode ended with David emotionally driving out of the village as his family, minus Jacob who was secretly watching round the corner, waved him off.
Away from the soap, Matthew has landed an incredible role as Buddy in Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre over Christmas. Talking about her co-star leaving and his new role, Roxy told the Mirror and other press: "I think it's absolutely fantastic! I mean, he's playing the lead in a West End? How incredible and the part is so perfect for him to play Buddy the Elf. I think he's going to be absolutely fantastic. We're all going down on the press night to see it. I think it'll be absolutely fantastic, what a great part, chance of a lifetime!"
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It comes as actor Matthew confirmed back in September that he was leaving the ITV soap as David after 17 years after it was reported he was set to leave. The actor has bowed out of the role after joining the show in 2006 although "the door has been left open" for a possible return in the future.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.*Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on , , , , and .