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Matthew Wolfenden has revealed the fate of his character after confirming he is leaving Emmerdale after nearly two decades.<\/p>\n
The 43-year-old actor has played shopkeeper David Metcalfe since 2006 but in recent weeks report emerged, he\u2019d decided to leave due to a lack of gritty storylines.<\/p>\n
When appearing on This Morning on Wednesday he shared the news of his exit whilst also teasing details of what fans could expect before he leaves the show.<\/p>\n
Speaking to hosts Holly Willoughby and Craig Doyle, Matthew said it \u2018felt like the right time\u2019 to walk away.<\/p>\n
After a package of clips of his time on the show throughout the years was shown, Matthew was seen tearing up and the actor said he was caught off guard by how \u2018emotional\u2019 he had become.<\/p>\n
He continued: \u2018I am so nervous about leaving after nearly two decades, but it feels like the right time.\u2019<\/p>\n
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However, he did say the door had been \u2018left open\u2019 to return one day.<\/p>\n
\u2018They\u2019re not killing me off. I\u2019ve been promised\u2026and I am allowed to tell you that,\u2019 he shared.<\/p>\n
\u2018Who knows, I might be back.\u2019<\/p>\n
Being asked about leaving the familiarity of his job, he explained how much the show had given him.<\/p>\n
\u2018It has been a massive part of my life. I met my wife on the show and we\u2019ve had three kids, so not only has it given me this many years of an amazing job, it\u2019s given me a family,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018To leave it\u2026it\u2019s been a big part of my life\u2026it\u2019s been an amazing 18 years.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Then able to share some details about the circumstances that lead David to leave, Matthew said it all came down to Victoria (Isabel Hodgins).<\/p>\n
\u2018There is a resolution of sorts, but I can\u2019t give too much away,\u2019 he teased.<\/p>\n
\u2018Victoria is the reason why he leaves the village, put it that way.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s not the best, but he leaves because of her in a way.\u2019<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the storylines writers have thrown at him over the years, Matthew said one that centred on his character battling cancer stayed with him.<\/p>\n
\u2018We did a testicular cancer and chemotherapy storyline where David lost all his hair and I spent six months shaving my eyebrows and hair,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018The people I met through it, people who survived cancer, it was an incredible period of time and I am really proud of that storyline. I really do feel as an actor that I did that justice.\u2019<\/p>\n
Looking forward, Matthew revealed his next job would see him play Buddy in Elf the Musical over Christmas, which he will start rehearsals for just a few days after finishing filming on the soap.<\/p>\n
Before joining Emmerdale, the actor spent five years on the West End and said he was excited to return to the stage after 18 years.<\/p>\n
However he did say while he was excited, \u2018the nerves were there\u2019.<\/p>\n