‘I consider myself retired but if anything comes up that I want to do I will’

Following the news that former Emmerdale star Duncan Preston has announced his retirement we are taking a look at his career and character Doug Potts’ time in the ITV soap.

As we have reported, Duncan, 78, has confirmed his retirement. He disclosed: “I consider myself retired but if anything comes up that I want to do I will. I’d love to do one last really nice part.”

The seasoned actor played Laurel Thomas’ father in ITV’s Emmerdale. Between 2007 and 2020, Emmerdale viewers witnessed Doug’s emotional turmoil following his divorce from Hilary, which was further complicated by an uncomfortable storyline involving an STI he contracted from Bonnie Drinkwater.

In addition, Doug supported Diane through her cancer diagnosis and he was also discovered covertly using cannabis around the village to alleviate his back pain. The character’s village exit saw him start a new life in Australia.

Since leaving Emmerdale, the star has appeared in All Creatures Great and Small, Silent Witness and Midsomer Murders. Elsewhere in his career, Duncan appeared in Dinnerladies and Acorn Antiques among other TV shows and features.

In retirement, Duncan is enjoying some quaint Yorkshire village life. He said: “It’s a lovely village and looks out over Ilkley Moor. It’s a 1950s detached property with four bedrooms and I rattle around in it, but I love it.”