Emmerdale star who quit soap 2 years ago hints at return in wake of limo crash
A popular Emmerdale star has hinted at a return to the ITV soap after an emotional exit two years ago.
Matthew Wolfenden, who played David Metcalfe, left the show after nearly two decades in 2023.
His character left the village after he found out his son Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) was having a secret romance with his ex-girlfriend Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins).
It was reported at the time that Wolfenden's exit was due to him 'not getting any gritty storylines' and that his next career move would be in theatre, as he went on to star as Buddy in Elf The Musical that Christmas.
But now, the 45-year-old has hinted at a return to the soap following the show's dramatic storylines in recent weeks.
Matthew said that a possible storyline would be David dealing with the aftermath of the death of his former partner Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), who died following the tragic limo crash in February.
Matthew told Inside Soap magazine: "I would definitely go back to 'Emmerdale'.
"The big pull would have been to revisit the relationship again with Leyla."
Next week: Sarah battles the anxiety of a looming cancer diagnosis, Moira's farm is under threat, and will Belle unravel John's secrets? Read more here: https://t.co/Aglz812apb#Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/cAV074Gyqp
— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) May 16, 2025
Matthew and Roxy, 42, became close friends on the set of Emmerdale and currently work together on their podcast 'Celebrity Side Hustles'.
Matthew's exit in 2023 also came after his then wife Charley Webb, who played Debbie Dingle, had also left the soap after 21 years in 2021.
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The pair were married off-screen for five years and have three children together. They announced their split in late 2023.
Speaking at the time, Matthew said: 'I'm so nervous about leaving Emmerdale, but almost two decades, it feels like the right time.
'The door's left open, they're not killing me off. Who knows, I might be back. Yeah, but we will see."
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