Emmerdale favourite quits the village after 17 years as he discovers shock betrayal
TWO characters couldn’t resist their romantic connection any further and have embarked on an affair.
One Emmerdale legend is left devastated after believing he still had a chance at love and he decides it’s time for him to move on.
Change is on its way to the ITV Dales next week as David Metcalfe’s exit storyline officially begins.
Soap legend Matthew Wolfenden has been a part of life in the eponymous village since his debut in 2006 but has been confirmed to be on his way out of Emmerdale.
In recent weeks, his on-screen alter ego has remained clueless as to what his ex-fiancée Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) has been up to with his son Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).
The pair have been sneaking around the village, unable to contain their feelings for one another for much longer and keeping everything under wraps out of fear of hurting David.
Unfortunately, their secret will be rumbled as Jacob’s mother Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi) decides to figure out who could be his secret girlfriend.
To top it all off, the truth is handed over to David unexpectedly, leading up to a heart-breaking birthday bombshell.
Coming up next week, David is due to celebrate his 42nd birthday but the day is awkward as Victoria and Jacob can feel they are on the verge of being exposed.
Before they can, Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) is the first woman to be rumbled as Jacob’s potential secret girlfriend.
However, David is concerned that the subject is taboo due to Jacob’s relationship trauma.
As viewers will recall, the lad’s former girlfriend Leanna Cavanagh was murdered by serial killer Meena Jutla in 2021, throwing Jacob in a downward spiral.
Jacob’s guilt grows as he realises his father remains considerate of his feelings but, despite the gossip, he and Victoria can’t resist the opportunity to have fun in an empty house.
The reality of the massive risk they’re taking sets in when they have to scramble as David unexpectedly arrives home.
Seeing straight through Jacob’s excuses, and intending to greet the “mystery” partner, David is shocked when Jacob tells him he was right – it’s Gabby.
Upstairs Victoria listens in, cringing and, after David leaves, Jacob reassures her Gabby will go along with his lies.
Later on, Victoria is panicking because she’s lost a bracelet David gave her.
Meanwhile in the pub David teases an oblivious Gabby and she’s left baffled.
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Finding Victoria’s bracelet on the floor, Jacob entices her into a relieved kiss.
Unbeknownst to them, a dumbstruck David has seen them through the window.
Before long, rocked by the news and with his whole world turned upside down, David makes a big decision.
Emotional, he says his final goodbyes to his family before driving out of the village.
How will Jacob and Victoria react?
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm on ITV.
