Emmerdale legend Matthew Wolfenden broken down in tears as he confirmed his exit from the show after 17 years this week.
The iconic Emmerdale star has played David Metcalfe and on Wednesday he teased his final storyline and new role, as he tearfully announced his exit from the soap.
The 43 year old actor appeared on Wednesday's This Morning and confirmed speculation that he was leaving his role which he has played since 2006.
After watching his best bits on Emmerdale during his This Morning appearance, Matthew got teary as he said: "That made me really emotional! I am so nervous about leaving, nearly 20 years, almost two decades. It feels like the right time, the door has been left open - they're not killing me off, I've been promised. Who knows, I might be back [in the future]. Yeah, but we will see."
He struggled to speak as he added: "I'm still really emotional watching that" as he admitted that Emmerdale is a "massive" part of his life."
He continued: "I met my wife on the show [Charley Webb, who played Debbie Dingle], we've had three kids, so not only has it given me 18 years of an amazing job, it's given me a family so to leave it, it's been a big part of my life and the most wonderful 18 years."
In 2022, Matthew's wife Charley, who played Debbie Dingle on the ITV soap for 19 years, appeared to confirm she would not be returning to the show again, after she briefly returned as Debbie in 2021, after the character initially left in 2019.
Speaking on how his character will make his exit, Matthew said there could be resolution between David and Victoria Sugden. He said: "There is a resolution of sorts... I can't give too much away. Victoria is the reason why he leaves the village... put it that way! He leaves because of Victoria in a way, I can't give too much away!"
Matthew will be playing Buddy in Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre over Christmas. though he admits it's been 18 years since he last sang as he was on the West End before joining Emmerdale, revealing he's having singing lessons.
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