Emmerdale legend retires from acting after quitting soap in huge life update

The soap star appeared in ITV's Emmerdale for 13 years before his character moved to Australia to start a new life, and now he considers himself retired from acting

Emmerdale's Doug left the soap in February 2020(Image: ITV )

An Emmerdale legend says he's retired from acting.

Actor Duncan Preston, 78, played Doug Potts in the ITV soap from 2007 until February 2020. His character moved away to Australia after travelling there for Sandy Thomas’ funeral.

Although it's possible he could return to the Dales, it's looking rather unlikely, because Duncan said he considers himself "retired" from the acting business. However, he said he'd love to do "one really nice part" if the opportunity arose.

He told This is Money: "To have enough to see myself out and certain other people too. I consider myself retired but if anything comes up that I want to do I will. I’d love to do one last really nice part."

Actor Duncan Preston considers himself retired, but would be open to playing one last part(Image: Getty Images)

The actor, who will appear in Good Ship Murder on Channel 5, also revealed he had split from ex-wife Susan Penhaligon once more. The pair met on Emmerdale, as Susan played Bob Hope's first wife Jean in 2006, a year before Doug's first appearance.

Duncan and Susan married back in 1986 but split in 1992 and got a divorce. The pair ended up rekindling their relationship in 1997, but they have gone their separate ways again.

Susan played Jean Hope in the Dales(Image: ITV)

Duncan added: "I sold the Highgate flat for a good profit and bought a place twice as big for half the price coming back up to Yorkshire in 2015 after Susie [Penhaligon] and I split up, and that's the house I have now.

“It's in a lovely village and looks out over Ilkley Moor. It's a 1950s detached property with four bedrooms and I rattle around in it, but I love it."

Speaking of their sweet reunion, Susan had told the Daily Mail: "Several friends, including my ex-husband David, had died or were ill. I realised how short life was and that I’d had a man I loved very much and wanted to be with."

She added: "We’re like chalk and cheese. Duncan is about as conventional as you get. He wouldn’t live in a boat, put it that way!"

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