Emmerdale confirms fan favourite has left the village for good following his shock exit from the soap after 17 years

Emmerdale has confirmed that fan favorite David Metcalfe, who made a shock departure from the village last year, will not return.

David, played by Matthew Wolfenden, 43, has been a regular character on the Yorkshire soap for 17 years but left last year after it emerged his stepson had an affair with his ex-fiance.

In November, David left town after catching stepson Jacob Gallagher (Joe Warren Plant) with his former partner Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins).

Having just learned that his father Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, David vowed to return.

However, in Tuesday’s episode, it was confirmed that the character has left the village for good.

In November, David left town after catching stepson Jacob Gallagher (Joe Warren Plant) with his former partner Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins)

In the episode, Jacob, who considers David his father, walked into the store and found his grandfather Eric and mother Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi).

“Your dad called,” Eric started, before Jacob stepped in and said, “I know what you’re going to say, but you don’t have to look so worried.

“This is actually great because I can apologize properly. I can make everything better, I can tell him how much I missed him.’

“He’s not coming back,” Eric snapped back at his grandson. “He has decided to stay with Priya for much longer.”

Jacob asked how long his father plans to be away, to which Eric replies, “Forever.”

Later in the episode, Jacob is dealt another blow when his mother Leyla admits that she blames him for David’s departure and no longer wanted to see him.

‘I’ll call Dad and ask him to think about it again. I’ll remind him that he promised Grandpa he’d come back,” Jacob said to Leyla.

Leyla pointed to a for-sale sign outside his father’s house and replied, “Jacob, if David somehow changed his mind, that wouldn’t be there. He has clearly decided to start a life somewhere where there are no bad memories.

Having just learned that his father Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, David vowed to return

Later in the episode, Jacob is dealt another blow when his mother Leyla admits that she blames him for David’s departure and no longer wanted to see him.

David’s stepson Jacob had grown closer to his ex-fiancée Victoria

‘I hope you and Victoria will be very happy together. I think I’d rather find a place alone. You’ve made your choice.’

Jacob and Victoria had become increasingly close before he ended up in hospital after a severe allergic reaction to one of her meals at The Hide. When Victoria came to check on him, Jacob confessed his love for her.

The duo were reluctant to explore their connection due to their nine-year age difference and Victoria’s previous relationship with David.

Jacob and Victoria later took a risk at his house, prompting David to arrive home unexpectedly. While Victoria hid upstairs, the pair thought they had gotten away with it, but David later saw them sharing a kiss through the window.

In September, actor Matthew broke down in tears as he confirmed he would be leaving the soap after 17 years as David Metcalfe.

In September, actor Matthew broke down in tears as he confirmed he would be leaving the soap after 17 years as David Metcalfe.

The actor appeared on This Morning to discuss his impending departure, revealing at the time that bosses left the door open for him to potentially return in the future.

The actor was visibly emotional as he watched the edit, telling Holly Willoughby and Craig Doyle that the show was “a big, big part of his life.”

He said: ‘I’m so nervous about leaving for almost 20 years.

“It feels like the right moment, yes, the door is open, they won’t kill me, they promised that. Who knows, I might come back again, we’ll see.

‘It has not only given me a great job for 18 years, but also family. It’s been a very big part of my life.’