Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden chose to leave the ITV soap three years ago, but he will soon be back on our screens in a rival show.

The David Metcalfe actor was a staple in the Dales from 2006 until his exit in 2023, when he moved to London to be with daughter Amba.

Since his departure, Matthew has gone on to co-host a podcast with former co-star Roxy Shahidi, whose character Leyla Harding was dramatically killed off in the limo crash last year.

Matthew Wolfenden is best known for playing David Metcalfe

Speaking to Metro at the Cure Usher Ball last year, Roxy explained that she and Matthew were looking to the future.

‘We’re both in the middle of carving new careers, we’re both in the middle of so many changes, so we’re really embracing that with our podcast and our writing and other things,’ she enthused.

Now, it seems that Matthew’s career is driving him back into the world of soap, after taking on a guest role in an episode of The Good Ship Murder.

Matthew is set to become a regular in Hollyoaks, it has been reported.

‘This an exciting new chapter for Matthew,’ a source told The Sun. ‘He’s a big signing for Hollyoaks and is expected to be a hit with viewers.’

Metro has reached out to Hollyoaks for comment.

Matthew previously reflected on his decision to leave Emmerdale as being a ‘crazy’ one. He had been offered the starring role of Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical in the West End for an eight-week stint, but his Emmerdale contract didn’t allow for time off over Christmas.

‘My contract was coming to an end and I had this big decision to make, do I leave an 18 year job to do an eight week show?’ He told the publication.

‘When you look back, in hindsight, to leave a well paid job to go and do an eight week run is a little crazy. I thought if I don’t do it now then I’ll never do it.’

Matthew is not the only Emmerdale star set to appear in a rival soap, with Ali Spencer actress Kelli Hollis making her Coronation Street debut next week.

She is playing a ‘Queen Bee’ character in prison with Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and Lou Michaelis (Farrel Hegarty) – her first soap role since leaving the Dales 11 years ago.