Emmerdale spoilers – Villager shattered by final exit as soap icon bows out forever

**David departed last year (Picture: ITV)**

In forthcoming episodes of Emmerdale, Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) will get heartbreaking news from his father, David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden).

In November of last year, David moved to London to be closer to his daughter Amba, leaving the countryside behind.

David left after learning that his step-son Jacob was having an affair with Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins), the woman he was still in love with but was David’s ex.

When David realized Victoria was seeing his son and that his attempts to win her back would never succeed, it was a terrible moment for him. The news that his father, Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease was a further setback.

**After learning about Vic and Jacob’s connection last year, David departed (Picture: ITV)**

After learning that Amba had relocated to London with her mother Priya (Fiona Wade), he thought it would be beneficial for him to spend some time away from the hamlet.

Actor Matthew Wolfenden departed the serial opera after 17 years to work on other projects. His first job was a lead position in Elf the Musical, where he was able to show off his skating abilities and win Dancing On Ice.

Matthew made a suggestion that we may not have seen the last of David as he was ready to depart Emmerdale. “One positive thing I can say is that I’m not dying,” he told Metro.co.uk.

“Perhaps David will return in a few years; I don’t die.”

Since David departed, Jacob and Victoria had faced the difficult decision to reveal the true cause for David’s departure to Pollard and Jacob’s mother, Leyla (Roxy Shahidi).

After overcoming that obstacle, they were able to go on and maintain their love.

Jacob had been hoping that when David returned to the community, he would give him an opportunity to make amends.

Sadly, their aspirations are dashed by the message that Jacob gets. It seems that David has made the decision that he will never go back to the Dales, despite the fact that he is still alive and might theoretically return.

Can the relationship withstand this most recent shock? Victoria is struck once again by the realization that her pursuit of happiness with Jacob has caused his family to be shattered and damaged so many people.