Joe-Warren Plant. best known for playing Jacob Gallagher, has paid tribute to his new Emmerdale co-star Joshua John, who portrays Rich Thompson

Emmerdale’s Joe-Warren Plant has confirmed that newcomer Joshua John has already left the ITV soap just weeks after making his debut as Rich Thompson.

Rich is a friend and fellow trainee doctor of Joe-Warren’s character Jacob Gallagher and he made his first appearance last month.

Some in the village have been less than impressed by Jacob’s friendship with them being unsure of Rich. Addressing these concerns, Joe-Warren explained: They have a lot in common doing the same job.

“The pressures that brings opens people up to coping mechanisms that can go down the wrong path. I think both of them struggle with that in a sense. I think Jacob can be easily led.

“Rich is a good friend to Jacob but there’s a lot of things in-between. They are not exactly built on the same morals. Jacob is always quite a nice and fairly behaved lad.

“Jacob has a lot going on. To let off steam, he’s been taking it down the wrong path and I think his friends do have a little bit to play in that role.”

Joe-Warren later paid tribute to Josh calling him a “talented and great guy”, saying: “Josh is a great lad.

“It was lovely working with him over the couple of months that he was here. I don’t think I really gave him any advice. It was more the other way around.

“Josh comes from a theatre background and he’s done a lot of work in London and things like that.

“It was nice to go back-and-forth and share stories. He’s a great guy and loves the craft. He’s very talented as well.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX