Latest news with #MatthewWolfenden
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ex Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden breaks his silence on soap's infamous race row which saw him 'wrongly' accused by co-star and left suffering a nervous breakdown
Former Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden has broken his silence on the soap's infamous 2021 race row which resulted in him and co-star Isabel Hodgins being suspended for three months and him suffering a nervous breakdown. At the time the pair were said to have 'mimicked the accent of a mixed-raced actress' on set, resulting in a vigorous enquiry, with their characters' absences explained by the pair taking an extended Portuguese holiday. Speaking on The Lewis Nicholls Show Matthew, 45, said he and Isabel had been 'falsely' accused and said the pair were in fact impersonating a white British character from BBC sketch show League Of Gentleman. The actor, who quit the role of David Metcalfe in 2023, claimed ITV bosses stopped him from defending himself publicly, resulting in his mental health 'spiralling' before checking into the Priory Clinic. He said: 'So a young cast member mistakenly thought he heard us doing a Chinese accent, so he went up to see the producer and said, 'I'm not very happy about this, I think I've just heard them mimicking a Chinese accent',' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'So because of this we did have to get suspended because as soon as that's an issue they have to go down the correct routes while they investigate what happens'. Matthew explained that he and former co-star Isabel, 31, who plays Victoria Sugden, were in an onscreen romance and as a result of spending so much time together bonded over TV comedy and would often act out their favourite scenes. 'I said to her, "Have you ever seen the League of Gentlemen?" And there's a scene in the League of Gentlemen where Reece Shearsmith dresses up as a lady called Pam Doove and it's called the Orange Juice Scene'. 'He's playing an actress who comes into an audition room and is very eloquent - it's an old acting joke - and then the director says, "Go out of the room and come back in" and say "Has anyone got a bottle of orange juice?" for an audition. and she returns and does it in a different accent'. Matthew claimed the Emmerdale press team told him to 'stay quiet' when 'all he wanted to do' was tell the truth about what really happened. 'It was hard and I got very very poorly and had a nervous breakdown. I ended up having a nervous breakdown and I ended up in the priory for a month. I thought I was going to lose my job over this over something I haven't done. He continued: 'I've always struggled with my mental health so just ended up with this big spiral down and ended up having a nervous breakdown. I had to be taken into the Priory for a month to get better.' While not naming the person who made accusation against him, Matthew said they'd left the show before he returned from suspension. 'It would've been difficult to go back and be face to face with the person who accused you absolutely wrongly'. An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Whilst we would never comment on specific cases, ITV takes all allegations of racism and bullying extremely seriously and investigates all incidents thoroughly and takes appropriate action'. At the time fellow Emmerdale star Aaron Anthony was said to have dramatically quit because he was 'bitterly angry' with two of his co-stars amid the race probe. Aaron, who played Ellis Chapman, told producers he would not be returning after his contract ends because he is furious with his colleagues' alleged behaviour, claims The Sun. Aaron was reportedly so 'furious' about the row and how the subsequent investigation 'has been handled', he has decided to leave the show after two years. A source told the publication: 'Aaron is bitterly angry about this situation and he has had to be persuaded to come back to Leeds film his scenes in recent months. 'He has done some filming over the last couple of weeks, but the understanding is that those scenes will be his last. 'He has been very vocal in his opinions about the allegations and about the way in which the enquiries have been handled by the bosses. He now feels his position on the show is untenable.' MailOnline has contacted Aaron's representatives and Emmerdale for comment at the time. Aaron took over the role from disgraced actor Asan N'Jie, who was sacked for threatening to 'kill' fellow soap star Jamie Lomas, 44, at the TV Choice Awards in 2019.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Watch as Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden reveals brutal way co-star wife dumped him after 15 years together
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden has revealed the brutal way wife Charley Webb dumped him. The actor - who played David Metcalfe in the ITV soap - met Charley on the job and the pair fell in love, getting married and eventually having three children. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Matthew Wolfenden has revealed how Charley Webb ended their marriage Credit: Getty 3 The couple were together for 15 years and share three sons Credit: miss_charleywebb/Instagram 3 The couple met while both working on Emmerdale Credit: Instagram But after 15 years together, Matthew has told how Charley ended their marriage while she was on tour with a play. Matthew, who had just quit Emmerdale and was at home raising the boys, was about to temporarily move to London for a West End play. He said: 'It was Charley's decision. Charley decided she wanted to separate. 'It was hard, it was a hard time for me. By this point I'd decided to leave Emmerdale. Charley was on tour with a play called Quiz so I was leaving a job I'd been in for 18 years, I'd just been offered a job in the West End, so it was a big change for me. 'I had the kids full time at that time because Charley was out on tour and then out of the blue I got this news that she wanted to separate. 'It was a tough time for me, it was a time of big changes and then this on top of things wasn't the best news in the world. But things happen for a reason and yeah. 'It was a very very tough time but these things happen and I'm not the first person in the world to have separated from their partner with kids involved. 'It was the fact that the kids were quite young and it wasn't only a couple of years ago. That was a concern to me. We had to move onwards.' He added on podcast The Lewis Nichollls Show: 'I didn't expect it at all, it was a big shock. Separation is very difficult when you've spent 15 years together, your lives together and everything you own is together - just sorting out. Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden breaks silence on soap race row and reveals why he was suspended 'Especially when the separation happened when Charley was on tour and I was moving to London after leaving Emmerdale.' But he also revealed after the initial devastation, the former couple put their differences aside and found a way forward. He added: 'Everything was a bit up in the air for the first few months but we're very very amicable, we're still friends and we've got kids together so you have to be. We're always going to have a relationship. 'We had the best 15 years together and we had three amazing kids together. But in terms of co-parenting we decided we'd do a week on, week off. 'We kept our house for the time being so the kids didn't have to move between houses until they got their heads around it really. We wanted it to be as much of a comfortable transition for the kids as possible.' Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. And he revealed he's taken a huge step with his nw girlfriend Heather, who he met while starring in the West End after his split. Matthew said: 'Things do have to come to an end so we've just sold our house and me and my new partner have just bought a house so there's going to be another transition. These thing take time but it's all good.'
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch as Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden reveals brutal way co-star wife dumped him after 15 years together
FORMER Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden has revealed the brutal way wife Charley Webb dumped him. The actor - who played David Metcalfe in the ITV soap - met Charley on the job and the pair fell in love, getting married and eventually having three children. 3 Matthew Wolfenden has revealed how Charley Webb ended their marriage Credit: Getty 3 The couple were together for 15 years and share three sons Credit: miss_charleywebb/Instagram 3 The couple met while both working on Emmerdale Credit: Instagram But after 15 years together, Matthew has told how Charley ended their marriage while she was on tour with a play. Matthew, who had just quit Emmerdale and was at home raising the boys, was about to temporarily move to London for a West End play. He said: 'It was Charley's decision. Charley decided she wanted to separate. 'It was hard, it was a hard time for me. By this point I'd decided to leave Emmerdale. Charley was on tour with a play called Quiz so I was leaving a job I'd been in for 18 years, I'd just been offered a job in the West End, so it was a big change for me. Read more on Emmerdale 'I had the kids full time at that time because Charley was out on tour and then out of the blue I got this news that she wanted to separate. 'It was a tough time for me, it was a time of big changes and then this on top of things wasn't the best news in the world. But things happen for a reason and yeah. 'It was a very very tough time but these things happen and I'm not the first person in the world to have separated from their partner with kids involved. 'It was the fact that the kids were quite young and it wasn't only a couple of years ago. That was a concern to me. We had to move onwards.' Most read in Soaps He added on podcast Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden breaks silence on soap race row and reveals why he was suspended 'Especially when the separation happened when Charley was on tour and I was moving to London after leaving Emmerdale.' But he also revealed after the initial devastation, the former couple put their differences aside and found a way forward. He added: 'Everything was a bit up in the air for the first few months but we're very very amicable, we're still friends and we've got kids together so you have to be. We're always going to have a relationship. 'We had the best 15 years together and we had three amazing kids together. But in terms of co-parenting we decided we'd do a week on, week off. 'We kept our house for the time being so the kids didn't have to move between houses until they got their heads around it really. We wanted it to be as much of a comfortable transition for the kids as possible.' Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. And he revealed he's taken a huge step with his nw girlfriend Heather, who he met while starring in the West End after his split. Matthew said: 'Things do have to come to an end so we've just sold our house and me and my new partner have just bought a house so there's going to be another transition. These thing take time but it's all good.'
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Watch as Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden reveals brutal way co-star wife dumped him after 15 years together
FORMER Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden has revealed the brutal way wife Charley Webb dumped him. The actor - who played David Metcalfe in the ITV soap - met Charley on the job and the pair fell in love, getting married and eventually having three children. 3 3 3 But after 15 years together, Matthew has told how Charley ended their marriage while she was on tour with a play. Matthew, who had just quit Emmerdale and was at home raising the boys, was about to temporarily move to London for a West End play. He said: 'It was Charley's decision. Charley decided she wanted to separate. 'It was hard, it was a hard time for me. By this point I'd decided to leave Emmerdale. Charley was on tour with a play called Quiz so I was leaving a job I'd been in for 18 years, I'd just been offered a job in the West End, so it was a big change for me. 'I had the kids full time at that time because Charley was out on tour and then out of the blue I got this news that she wanted to separate. 'It was a tough time for me, it was a time of big changes and then this on top of things wasn't the best news in the world. But things happen for a reason and yeah. 'It was a very very tough time but these things happen and I'm not the first person in the world to have separated from their partner with kids involved. 'It was the fact that the kids were quite young and it wasn't only a couple of years ago. That was a concern to me. We had to move onwards.' He added on podcast The Lewis Nichollls Show: 'I didn't expect it at all, it was a big shock. Separation is very difficult when you've spent 15 years together, your lives together and everything you own is together - just sorting out. Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden breaks silence on soap race row and reveals why he was suspended 'Especially when the separation happened when Charley was on tour and I was moving to London after leaving Emmerdale.' But he also revealed after the initial devastation, the former couple put their differences aside and found a way forward. He added: 'Everything was a bit up in the air for the first few months but we're very very amicable, we're still friends and we've got kids together so you have to be. We're always going to have a relationship. 'We had the best 15 years together and we had three amazing kids together. But in terms of co-parenting we decided we'd do a week on, week off. 'We kept our house for the time being so the kids didn't have to move between houses until they got their heads around it really. We wanted it to be as much of a comfortable transition for the kids as possible.' Real-life soap couples Soaps are renowned for their sweet and scandalous romances – but it's not just in scripted storylines where love is blossoming. A number of our favourite small-screen actors have fallen for co-stars and soapland rivals when the cameras have stopped rolling. Max Parker and Kris Mochrie Despite playing brothers Luke and Lee Posner on Emmerdale, the pair never actually shared any scenes together. But the pair still fell in love after meeting on set. Max and Kris got together in 2020, moving in together later than same year and got engaged in 2022. In a sweet Instagram post, the couple confirmed they're planning a 2025 wedding. Beth Cordingly and Ian Kelsey Beth, who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, announced her love for her co-star Ian Kelsey, who played Dean Glover, shortly after she joined Emmerdale at the beginning of 2024. 'I am very in love with Ian and very happy. I think it really does work him being an actor too. He has been so fantastic," she gushed. Laura Norton and Mark Jordan Kerry Wyatt and Daz Eden actors Laura and Mark met on the set of Emmerdale in 2014. The couple, who got engaged in 2018, told Loose Women they spent a long time deciding whether they should "just stay as friends." Although it seems they were meant to be and the pair now share two children together. Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley Emmerdale favourites Zoe and Jeff, who play Rhonda Goskirk and Cain Dingle met at drama college in 1994 and have been together ever since. While working together might be too much for some couples, that's definitely not the case for Zoe and Jeff. Zoe previously told The Sun: "Working on the same show as Jeff also helps because if one of us is having a bad day then the other will completely understand." Lesley Dunlop and Chris Chittell Lesley and Chris are another Dales romantic success story. Unlike some of the other soap stars, the pair who play Brenda Walker and Eric Pollard, are together on and off screen, officially tying the knot in 2016. They also adore working together, but have clear home-work boundaries. "We make a point of not talking about Emmerdale when we're at home, though – that would be just too sad, wouldn't it?" Chris revealed. Sally Carman and Joe Duttine Abi Franklin and Tim Metcalfe actors Sally and Joe got together after meeting on the set of Coronation Street in 2017 and they tied the knot in July 2022. But unlike some of the Emmerdale stars, Sally and Joe prefer that their characters don't interact much. Sally previously admitted it "would be horrendous" to work on a storyline with Joe because "he's too funny." Anthony Cotton and Peter Eccleston Sean Tully may have been unlucky in love on the cobbles, but in real life Antony's met his Prince Charming. The soap star started dating long-term partner Peter in 2005, after they met when he was working as an assistant props buyer on Corrie. Jane Danson and Robert Beck Corrie favourite Jane Danson tied the knot with soap star Robert Beck in 2005. The actress, who plays Leanne Battersby, shares two children, Harry and Sam, with the former Brookside star. During their marriage, Robert has also done a stint in Weatherfield playing criminal Jimmy Dockerson. Caroline Harding and Chris Gascoyne Chris, who played pub landlord Peter Barlow, married soap star Caroline in 2002. Although she is best known as an Emmerdale star, Caroline did visit her husband at work when she did a two-episode stint as doctor on the Manchester soap in 2020. The couple share a daughter called Belle, plus two children, Pip and Freddie from Caroline's previous marriage. Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed Nadine Mulkerrin, and Rory Doulas Speed are known for their Hollyoaks alter egos Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter. The loved-up pair got engaged on a December 2018 trip to Amsterdam - just over a year after they announced they were dating. They now share two kids, Reggie and Dougie. Sophie Austin and Shayne Ward Former Hollyoaks star Sophie, whose best known for playing villain Lindsay Butterfield, was introduced to singer and ex-Corrie star Shayne through mutual friends. She gave birth to their daughter Willow in December 2016 and they welcomed a son in 2022. And he revealed he's taken a huge step with his nw girlfriend Heather, who he met while starring in the West End after his split. Matthew said: 'Things do have to come to an end so we've just sold our house and me and my new partner have just bought a house so there's going to be another transition. These thing take time but it's all good.'
North Wales Chronicle
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden hints at return to ITV soap
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. A post shared by Lewis Nicholls (@lewisjnicholls) 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: 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. Recommended reading: Emmerdale's Oliver Farnworth's partner is EastEnders star Emmerdale's Bradley Ritches almost played this ITV soap star Emmerdale turned upside down by young icon's unexpected baby announcement 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."
