Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden has swapped TV for the stage in his first role since leaving the soap.
The actor has joined the cast of musical ELF, a stage adaptation of the popular Christmas film, in the lead role of Buddy. And we have the first look photos.
His run in the show began on November 15, and will continue at London’s Dominion Theatre all through the festive season until January 6, 2024.
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Wolfenden was confirmed to be joining the musical back in September, and new images show him on stage and in bright costume – a role far from shop owner David Metcalfe, who he played for 17 years.
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Also in the cast is fellow soap star Tom Chambers, who reprises his role as Buddy’s father Walter Hobbs, after also playing the part last year.
Tickets for the show are available now.
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Meanwhile, David’s final scenes in Emmerdale are set to air very soon.
Next week’s spoilers show that he will finally find out about son Jacob’s secret relationship with his ex-girlfriend Victoria, catching them kissing through the window. After a number of discoveries, a heartbroken David will decide to leave the village, saying goodbye to dad Eric, Brenda and Leyla.
His departure from the show was confirmed earlier this year, and he admitted on This Morning that while he was "so nervous" about leaving the soap, "it feels like the right time".
The actor's final scenes will air shortly after he and wife Charley Webb announced that they were separating after five years of marriage.
In a joint statement released on both their Instagram Stories, they said: "We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children. For their sake we would appreciate privacy at this time."
ELF is at London’s Dominion Theatre until January 6, 2024. Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
