Emmerdale SPOILER: Fan favourite quits the village after 17 years as exit plot is revealed

One of Emmerdale's instrumentality favourites is group to time off nan colony aft 17 years. 

Matthew Wolfenden has discontinue his domiciled arsenic David Metcalfe connected nan ITV soap, pinch nan news being announced complete nan summer, and now his exit crippled has been revealed. 

The actor, 43, who first joined nan show successful 2006, has been progressive pinch a number of large storylines complete nan years and viewers of nan soap have been speculating what his exit storyline could involve. 

Over nan past fewer weeks, David's step-son Jacob Gallagher (Joe Warren Plant) has been increasing person to his ex-fiancée Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins). 

After ending up successful infirmary aft a terrible allergic guidance to 1 of Victoria's meals successful The Hide, Jacob confessed his emotion for her erstwhile she came successful to cheque connected him. 

The duo person been reluctant to research their relationship owed to their nine-year property spread and Victoria's past relationship with David. 

After jumping into furniture together, their concealed romance successful now group to beryllium revealed by Leyla Harding erstwhile she sets retired to find retired nan personality of his concealed girlfriend. 

Jacob manages to propulsion her disconnected by pretending to date Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham), assuring Victoria that Gabby will play along. 

However, erstwhile Jacob and Victoria return a consequence astatine his house, David arrives location unexpectedly. 

As Victoria hides upstairs, nan brace deliberation they person gotten distant pinch it, only for David to later spot them stock a buss done nan window. 

David is rocked by nan revelation and aft saying an affectional goodbye, departs nan village.  

In September, actor Matthew collapsed down successful tears arsenic he confirmed he's leaving nan soap aft 17 years arsenic David Metcalfe.

The character appeared connected This Morning to talk his upcoming exit, and revealed that bosses were leaving nan doorway unfastened for him to perchance return successful nan future.

Matthew, who joined Corrie arsenic David successful 2006, added that his character's on/off romance pinch Victoria could beryllium nan logic for his departure.

Viewers watched a montage of highlights from Matthew's clip connected Emmerdale, including a glimpse of David's colourful romanticist history.

The character was visibly affectional arsenic he watched nan montage, telling Holly Willoughby and Craig Doyle that nan show has been 'a big, large portion of his life.'

He said: 'I'm truthful tense astir leaving, almost 2 decades. 

'It feels for illustration nan correct time, yeah, nan doorway has been near open, they're not sidesplitting maine off, they promised. Who knows, I mightiness beryllium back, we will see.

'Not only has it fixed maine 18 years of an astonishing job, it's fixed maine family. It's been a big, large portion of my life.'

Asked whether he tin stock immoderate hints astir David's departure, he said: 'Any solution pinch Victoria earlier his exit? 

'There is simply a solution of sorts, I can't springiness excessively overmuch away. Victoria is nan logic why he leaves nan village.'

Host Craig said: 'I don't deliberation it's a bully ending for Victoria,' and Matthew replied: 'It's not nan best.'

Matthew past revealed that he's going to beryllium heading to nan shape complete nan festive season, taking connected nan domiciled of Buddy successful Elf: The Musical.

He said: 'I decorativeness [Emmerdale] connected nan Friday, past I commencement rehearsals connected nan Monday for Elf. The nerves are there, each clip I deliberation astir it my bosom starts beating.'

It was reported that Matthew was quitting Emmerdale aft 17 years, pinch sources claiming he was fresh to return connected a different role.  

A root told The Sun: 'Matthew has had an astonishing clip connected nan soap, but feels fresh for a change. He hasn't been getting immoderate gritty storylines precocious truthful wants to spot what other is retired there.

'He's a instrumentality favourite truthful will get a batch of support successful immoderate he decides to do next,'. 

Before adding: 'He's very excited astir nan opportunities available. He's only conscionable announced he is leaving truthful scriptwriters are moving retired his on-screen exit. It's imaginable David could beryllium killed'. 

Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm connected ITV.