Joe-Warren Plant, who plays Jacob Gallagher in Emmerdale, has revealed which storyline soap fans ask him about the most even though it happened over five years ago

Emmerdale actor Joe-Warren Plant has set the record straight on whether or not Jacob Gallagher is Theo Metcalfe’s real dad.

Fans of the ITV soap will remember that Jacob was groomed by his teacher Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein), who was also in a relationship with his father David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) back in 2019.

Maya manipulated Jacob into believing that it was a proper full-blown legal relationship but she was later sent to prison when it came out about their fling.

When she got released from prison, it was revealed that Maya was be pregnant. She was seen checking her phone seeing Jacob calling but ignored it, deleting his number.

After giving birth to a baby boy, she left the baby outside David and Jacob’s house on Christmas Day with a note asking them to look after him and she then left the country.

In January 2020, David who was proven by DNA test to be the father, finally contacted Social Services who tracked Maya down. Although she was alright with the baby staying with David, he feared if she ever came back she could take his son away from him.

Despite the storyline airing five years ago, Joe-Warren has revealed that he still gets fans coming up to him in the streets asking if Jacob is Theo’s real dad.

Speaking at a recent Emmerdale press event, he explained: “One thing that people do bring up quite often when I’m out in public and they approach me is that they think Theo is actually Jacob’s son. That one keeps cropping up but I just laugh as it’s obviously not the case but it’s a funny theory that the fans have.”

Joe-Warren has played Jacob for 15 years and he’s teased that 2025 is going to be a big year for Jacob. teasing: “There’s lots more coming up for Jacob, I can’t wait. The new episodes coming through have got me excited for the next year.

“Now Matthew [Wolfenden] and Roxy [Shahidi] have gone, which was heartbreaking, it’s allowed me to work with other people who I don’t usually have scenes with and it’s been a breath of fresh air.

“It’s nice to see the different dynamics Jacob has with other characters and I feel like It’s pushing me in a different direction rather than playing the son of Leyla. It’s been nice for me to try and do something different.”

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