ITV Emmerdale icon announces he's retired from acting after leaving soap

Emmerdale has starred assorted formed members implicit the years since it launched, including Duncan Preston, who played Doug Potts, the begetter of long-running quality Laurel Thomas

A erstwhile Emmerdale prima has teased that helium considers himself retired 5 years aft his exit from the soap.

Duncan Preston, 78, played Doug Potts connected the ITV amusement much than a decade. The quality was introduced arsenic the begetter of Laurel Thomas (played by Charlotte Bellamy) and helium left the colony successful 2020 to commencement a caller beingness successful Australia.

The histrion - besides known for his enactment alongside the precocious comedian Victoria Wood - has since been successful shows similar Silent Witness and All Creatures Great & Small. He's acceptable to soon look successful the caller bid of the Good Ship Murder.

Almost 5 years connected from his departure from Emmerdale, erstwhile formed subordinate Duncan has said that helium considers him "retired". He nevertheless added successful an interrogation published this week that helium is unfastened to doing "one past truly bully part".

He mentioned his vocation whilst speaking to This is Money. Asked to stock his main fiscal priority, helium told the outlet: "To person capable to spot myself retired and definite different radical too. I see myself retired but if thing comes up that I privation to bash I will. I'd emotion to bash 1 past truly bully part."

Duncan besides shared successful the interrogation that he's separated again from Susan Penhaligon, 75. They were joined from 1986 until their divorce successful 1992, but aboriginal reconciled successful 1997. He nevertheless has suggested that helium divided again from Susan - who had played Jean Hope connected Emmerdale - successful astir 2015.

It's been astir 2 decades since Duncan made his debut connected Emmerdale, with his quality having been introduced successful 2007. He initially remained a formed subordinate until 2011, but past returned from 2014 until his latest departure successful 2020.

Doug featured successful assorted storylines implicit the years, including relating to his family. The character's departure storyline saw him embark connected a caller beingness abroad. As helium near the village, helium was waved disconnected by loved ones including his girl Laurel, and his pals Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) and Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen).

Earlier successful his career, Duncan had appeared alongside precocious comedian Victoria connected her amusement Acorn Antiques, which ran from 1985 to 1987. They aboriginal worked unneurotic connected dinnerladies and helium played attraction idiosyncratic Stan Meadowcroft successful the BBC show, which was broadcast from 1998 to 2000.

His different acting credits see the infirmary sitcom Surgical Spirit, successful which helium played Dr. Jonathan Haslam. Duncan is besides credited with having appeared successful EastEnders and Coronation Street successful his decades-long vocation arsenic an actor.

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