Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden signs up to rival soap three years on from exit

Matthew Wolfenden has landed a role in rival soap Hollyoaks three years after leaving Emmerdale, where he played David Metcalfe for 17 years

One of the Dales’ most prominent stars dedicated 17 years to the soap, having arrived as the long-lost son of its most enduring character. Now Matthew Wolfenden, who portrayed David Metcalfe, is making the leap to a competing daytime drama, crushing fans’ hopes of a potential comeback.

The 45-year-old performer has signed up for Cheshire-based soap Hollyoaks, three years after bidding farewell to Emmerdale following his marathon run on the show.

A source told the Sun that the star – who separated from ex-wife and fellow Emmerdale veteran Charley Webb in 2023 – views the switch as an ‘exciting chapter’ in his career, adding: “He’s a big signing for Hollyoaks and is expected to be a hit with viewers.”

Matthew, who also ventured into reality television with a triumphant appearance on Dancing On Ice in 2012, left Emmerdale in late 2023 after securing the leading role of Buddy in an eight-week production of Elf the musical in London’s West End.

However, due to a rigid cast policy preventing any time off during the Christmas season, he took the momentous decision not to renew his contract with the Leeds-based drama, reports the Mirror.

His character’s departure aired in April 2024 – but crucially, he wasn’t written out permanently, leaving the possibility open for an unexpected return, which now appears increasingly unlikely.

The father-of-three, who shares sons Buster, Bowie, and Ace with Charley, had previously revealed his reasons for departing the soap, explaining: “My contract was coming to an end, and I had this big decision to make: do I leave an 18-year job to do an eight-week show?”.

“When you look back, in hindsight, to leave a well-paid job to go and do an eight-week run is a little crazy. I thought if I don’t do it now then I’ll never do it.”

He continued: “Luckily, John Whiston, the big boss at Emmerdale, wrote me a lovely email saying, ‘Look, we’re not going to kill you off that is not me saying you can come back’ Obviously they can’t say that, but the door will be left open for the character of David, which was very nice.”

Matthew’s alter ego David was the offspring of Eric Pollard, portrayed by Chris Chittell, who arrived in 1986 – securing his position as the programme’s most enduring cast member. David departed the village upon discovering his son Jacob was romantically involved with his former partner Victoria, devastated by the betrayal.

Rather than returning, Matthew’s theatrical venture sparked an entirely fresh phase in his career. His enthusiasm for joining the Hollyoaks ensemble is evident, as he’s started following both the programme’s official Instagram account and several of its prominent performers, including Kieran Richardson, Anna Passey, Kirsty-Leigh Porter and Ashley Dawson.

Meanwhile, it appears that sweeping transformations are on the horizon for both Emmerdale and Coronation Street, with executives reportedly preparing to slash one in ten cast members as part of another wave of harsh budget reductions.

The rumoured proposals also include cutting back on the number of scenes featured in each episode of both programmes, following ITV’s announcement that it would be trimming an additional £15 million from its overall spending.

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