An Emmerdale icon has admitted he considers himself “retired” after leaving the soap in 2020.
English actor legend Duncan Preston is known for playing Doug Potts in the ITV series from 2007 to 2011 and reprized the role from 2014 to 2020.
His character’s story saw him move to Australia for a new life with Betty Eagleton.
Now that he considers himself retired from the world of acting, the actor added that “he would love to play one last really nice role.”
“Having enough to see myself and also other people,” he told This Is Money.
‘I consider myself retired, but if something comes up that I want to do, I will do it. I would love to do one last really nice role.
An Emmerdale icon admitted he considers himself ‘retired’ after leaving the soap in 2020
English actor legend Duncan Preston is known for playing Doug Potts in the ITV series from 2007 to 2011 and reprising the role again from 2014 to 2020 (pictured in 2015).
The star will next be seen in the beloved Channel Five drama Good Ship Murder.
Duncan also revealed that he was single after separating again from his ex-wife Susan Penhaligon; the couple married in 1986.
The former couple met on the set of Emmerdale, where Susan played Jean Hope, Bob Hope’s first wife, in 2006.
The duo eventually separated in 1992 and divorced, although they repented and rekindled in 1997 but have since separated.
“I sold the flat in Highgate at a good profit and bought a place twice as big for half the price and moved back to Yorkshire in 2015 after Susie (Penhaligon) and I split up, and that’s the house I have now.” Duncan added.
‘It is in a lovely village and overlooks Ilkley Moor. It’s a four-bedroom 1950s detached property and I’m wandering around in it, but I love it.’
‘I consider myself retired, but if something comes up that I want to do, I will do it. “I would love to do one last really nice role,” the actor told This Is Money (pictured in 2017).
His character’s story saw him move to Australia for a new life with Betty Eagleton (pictured in 2015).
Coronation Street insiders have debunked rumors the ITV soap is in trouble amid a liquidity crisis.
Rumors have circulated that there are problems behind the scenes on the cobbles – six cast members announced their departures in just two months.
The show has faced a ratings plummet and recently lost its most-watched ITV soap crown to Emmerdale.
talking to The mirrorA soap opera insider admitted that big changes are coming for the soap opera.
However, they insisted that the show is “by no means on the brink of collapse” with a number of exciting and dramatic plots planned.
“Corrie’s vision for the future on the show has secured her place on screens for years to come,” they said.
“Fans can ignore any idea that within a decade the soap opera will disappear, because it is by no means on the brink of collapse.”
The source added: “It’s really a case of one door closing and one door opening, in the sense that some familiar faces will leave, but others will return, and the new faces could be just what the show needs.”
Coronation Street insiders have debunked rumors the ITV soap is in trouble amid a cash crisis (seen are John Woodvine as Alan Hoyle and Graeme Hawley as John Stape).
Rumors have circulated that there are problems behind the scenes on the cobbles: six cast members announced their departure in just two months (Charlotte Jordan as Daisy Midgeley).
It comes amid reports that the ITV soap is in trouble due to an alleged cash crisis and a cast revolt over poor working conditions and low pay.
Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, Luca Toola and Shelley King have announced that they are leaving the show.
Other actors have reportedly vented their fury in a WhatsApp group for fear of being next.
According the sunThursday’s 9-10 p.m. episode was watched by 2.5 million people, just ten percent of the 27 million who watched Hilda Ogden’s farewell in her 1987 heyday.
The episode was moved from its usual Friday slot so that the network could show the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham.
As a result, Coronation Street took on BBC reality show The Traitors, which attracted five million viewers.
The show’s poor ratings saw it fall behind Emmerdale with 3.5 million, while the BBC’s EastEnders attracted 2.8 million viewers.
This also means The Street dropped out of the top ten of the day’s most-watched shows, which last happened on Christmas Day, when Helen Worth said goodbye after playing Gail Platt for 50 years.
Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith and Luca Toolan have announced that they are leaving the show (pictured is Colson Smith, who is leaving the series this year).
A source told The Sun: ‘Coronation Street used to be the jewel in ITV’s crown. Now there is discouragement among the actors.”
A spokesperson for the show responded: ‘Thursday night at 9pm is not our usual broadcast pattern. It also doesn’t take ITVX viewers into account.
“Monday’s knife crime episode peaked at 3.9 million which, when consolidated, will be in line with the 2024 average of 4.4 million, making it the most watched soap opera on television” .
Some of the show’s mid-range actors and younger stars are also said to be worried about being fired in a bid to save money.
Some of the younger stars are said to fear being written off the show in order to keep established stars like Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd on board.
A source said: “There is a WhatsApp group that has been messaging about concerns about where the ax will fall next.”
‘It’s a tough time for soap and it’s leaking. There’s a feeling that more people will be laid off to save money and keep higher-paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd on board.’
The source added that cast members also complained about long work hours.
They added: ‘Filming is difficult. One person complained that they had been “worked like dogs.” The days of extraordinary salaries are over.
MailOnline contacted representatives of Coronation Street for comment at the time.