{"id":35955,"date":"2025-04-03T15:44:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T14:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/?p=35955"},"modified":"2025-04-03T15:44:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T14:44:55","slug":"david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/","title":{"rendered":"David Metcalfe: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob&#8217;s grooming horror"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>David Metcalfe in Emmerdale was the long-lost son of Eric Pollard. When he first arrived he was a proper chip off the old block \u2013 scheming and sneaky, and determined to get his mitts on Pollard\u2019s money.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-1st\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>But over his years in the village, he grew into a serial monogamist, doting dad, and devoted son.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s everything you need to know about shopkeeper extraordinaire David!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36031\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36031\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36031 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-1024x770.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Pollard and David Metcalfe are father and son (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-1024x770.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-1300x977.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-1536x1155.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_764422ra-2048x1539.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36031\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eric Pollard and David Metcalfe are father and son (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:min-h-[300px]\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot1\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>David Metcalfe arrives in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>When David first came to the village, he was hunting for Eric- the dad he\u2019d never known. It turned out his mum Lydia had a romance with Eric, who left her before she revealed that she was pregnant \u2013 stealing \u00a320,000 from her.<\/p>\n<p>She went on to marry David\u2019s adoptive dad but he wasn\u2019t kind to her or David.<\/p><section class=\"widget block-30 widget_block mb-4\"><div class=\"mb-3 stories-slider-container overflow-hidden w-[100%] max-sm:w-[108%] max-sm:ml-[-15px]\" data-items-visible=\"2\">\n  <h3 class=\"w-full text-center mb-5 uppercase\">article continues below<\/h3>  <div class=\"grid md:grid-cols-5 grid-cols-6\">\n          <a class=\"!no-underline col-span-4 mr-5 cursor-pointer mb-3 hover:!bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] block [-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent] uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/category\/spoilers\/\">\n        <h2 class=\"font-[var(--font-v-font)] text-[var(--color-v-primary)] font-bold !text-2xl flex flex-row place-content-baseline !mb-0 max-sm:ml-[10px]\">\n          <span class=\"flex-initial mr-2 transition-all duration-300 hover:-translate-y-1 ease-in-out !leading-[var(--title-line-height)]\">Read all the latest spoilers<\/span>\n          <span class=\"mt-auto mb-2 self-baseline h-1 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] block w-[100%] flex-1\"><\/span>\n        <\/h2>\n      <\/a>\n    \n\n\n\n\n    \n    <div class=\"rounded-tl-xl md:rounded-tr-xl bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] flex flex-row gap-4 md:col-span-1 col-span-2 justify-center pt-2\">\n      <button class=\"prev-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] items-center justify-center text-sm transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer\" href=\"#\" alt=\"right\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M15 19l-7-7 7-7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"next-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] font-bold items-center justify-center transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer \" href=\"#\" alt=\"left\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M9 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"px-[10px] bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] rounded-none md:rounded-l-xl md:rounded-br-xl max-sm:pb-3\">\n    <div class=\"stories-slider-viewport group overflow-x-auto relative scroll-smooth\">\n      \n      <div class=\"invisible md:block slide\">\n        <img class=\"h-[250px]\" src=\"https:\/\/placehold.co\/1x250\" alt=\"placeholder\">\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <div class=\"stories-slider-track top-[10px] max-sm:h-[233px] absolute flex flex-row flex-nowrap transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out\">\n                              <div class=\"story-item flex-none slide\">\n              <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:hidden dbxgas:md:block dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-desktop\"><\/div><\/div>            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\" md:ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/moira-struggles-cope-vanessa-realisation-over-dr-todd\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fan-theory-Split-40.jpg\" alt=\"Moira struggles to cope and Vanessa has a realisation over Dr Todd\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Fri, May 8<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira struggles to cope and Vanessa has a realisation over Dr Todd<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">9 hours ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/dr-todd-strikes-again-leaving-jacob-distraught\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DATE-split-2026-05-06T121823.719.jpg\" alt=\"Dr Todd strikes again leaving Jacob distraught\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Thu, May 7<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Dr Todd strikes again leaving Jacob distraught<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">1 day ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/jacob-trapped-dr-todd-mandy-makes-big-confession\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DATE-split-2026-05-05T124904.081.jpg\" alt=\"Jacob trapped by Dr Todd and Mandy makes a big confession\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Wed, May 6<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Jacob trapped by Dr Todd and Mandy makes a big confession<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">2 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/cain-sets-out-hammer-revenge-robert-todd-wants-10k-from-charity\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/News-split-2026-04-30T115615.768.jpg\" alt=\"Cain sets out with a hammer for revenge on Robert and Todd wants \u00a310k from Charity\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">May 11 - 15<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Cain sets out with a hammer for revenge on Robert and Todd wants \u00a310k from Charity<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">3 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/bear-could-blow-everything-as-he-takes-to-the-stand\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DATE-standard-2026-05-01T163329.213.jpg\" alt=\"Bear could blow everything as he takes to the stand\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Tue, May 5<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Bear could blow everything as he takes to the stand<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">3 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/paddy-bear-dylan-face-jury-on-trial\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Emm-Banners-ExclusiveOp-Templates-11.jpg\" alt=\"Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Mon, May 4<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">6 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"story-item mx-auto flex-none md:hidden sm:block w-[300px]\">\n    <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-mpu\"><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>So when David came to find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/03\/06\/emmerdale-hint-pollard-death-fears-soap-legend-next-killed-off-leyla-note\/\">Pollard<\/a> he brought a lifetime of resentment with him!<\/p>\n<h2>Who\u2019s the daddy?<\/h2><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div><div data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot2\"><\/div>\n<p>David immediately hit it off with Del Dingle, who offered to help him track down his dad. But when they mistakenly thought Zak Dingle could be David\u2019s dad, Del distanced herself from their flirty friendship.<\/p>\n<p>It was revealed that Eric was the dad and it\u2019s fair to say he wasn\u2019t happy about it at first.<\/p><div class=\"my-5 boxout\"><div><h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your Emmerdale news<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">It's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news &amp; schedules to share with our community of loyal readers.\r\n\r\nClick\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tvguide.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q%3Dtvguide.co.uk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw26YBpjtwUOaDOV8IYgQAmD\" data-track=\"preferred-source\" data-placement=\"article_body\"><b>here<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and tick\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uu9xte1Ig7bDiZNlkPjpu\">TVGuide.co.uk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>But two DNA tests later and after a good talking-to from Val, he eventually came round. David still wanted the cash, though, and began pocketing money from Pollard\u2019s business. Eric worked it out and was devastated but David apologised and the pair went into business together.<\/p>\n<p>David lost the money though when he spent the night with Katie Sugden and a heartbroken Del transferred the cash into her account and left the village!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35997\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35997\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-35997\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu.jpg\" alt=\"Drunk David in Leyla's wedding dress \" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_1686174eu-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35997\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Drunk David put on Leyla\u2019s wedding dress and went to the pub when she left (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>So. Many. Romances for David Metcalfe in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>After a brief liaison with Jasmine Thomas, David caught the eye of newly returned Nicola Blackstock. They met their match in one another and had a turbulent relationship, to say the least, even scheming to off Nicola\u2019s elderly husband Donald De Souza.<\/p>\n<p>But that romance fell apart when David met Leyla Harding. They got together but once again things got a bit rocky when Leyla revealed first that her sister Alicia\u2019s son Jacob was actually her child, and then that she\u2019d had a brief fling with his adoptive dad Justin and he was the lad\u2019s biological dad.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>But despite this, their romance carried on and they planned to marry. But after all sorts of drama involved David\u2019s adoptive sister Amy Wyatt and Leyla\u2019s sister Alicia, the pair split. Leyla left the village leaving David a wreck with just a wedding dress and a load of debt.<\/p>\n<h2>Business David<\/h2>\n<p>David cleaned himself up with the help of Alicia and his best-friend Nikhil. He reinvented himself as a businessman, taking over the village shop and renaming it after himself.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35998\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35998\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-35998\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm.jpg\" alt=\"David and Alicia on their wedding day\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm.jpg 2008w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm-1300x929.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_3529992mm-1536x1098.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35998\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David and Alicia tied the knot (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>More romances<\/h2>\n<p>David started a romance with Priya Sharma but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/04\/02\/alicia-metcalfe-emmerdale-traumatic-sexual-assault-family-lies-shooting-drama\/\">Alicia<\/a> was trying to hide the feelings she\u2019d developed for him. When Alicia was shot in the siege at the Woolpack, David realised he felt the same and the pair got together.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>They tied the knot on the same day that Leyla arrived back in the village.<\/p>\n<p>Priya, though, was pregnant with David\u2019s baby \u2013 we know, it\u2019s exhausting! She gave birth to baby Amba. David was devoted to the little girl but Priya still had feelings for him. Eventually he told her he didn\u2019t feel the same way.<\/p>\n<p>David\u2019s relationship with Alicia hit the rocks when she was sexually assaulted by Lachlan White.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>She, David and Jacob went to live in Portugal. They returned after Val\u2019s death but Alicia didn\u2019t want to stay. She went back to Portugal and David remained in the village.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_35999\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-35999\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-35999\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an.jpg\" alt=\"David, with his head shaved, looks serious \" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an.jpg 2008w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an-1300x732.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_8965258an-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-35999\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">David battled testicular cancer (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>David Metcalfe in Emmerdale and his cancer battle<\/h2>\n<p>When Eric thought he might have cancer, David agreed to be checked out too in solidarity. Eric was fine, but it turned out David had testicular cancer.<\/p>\n<p>He was supported through his operation and treatment by Leyla, and his new girlfriend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/06\/26\/emmerdale-tracy-robinson-marriages-affairs-postnatal-depression\/\">Tracy Shankley<\/a>, who he later married.<\/p>\n<p>But their marriage broke up after David cheated with Leyla.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_36000\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36000\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36000\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Maya and David kiss as Jacob looks on\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1002\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-1300x868.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/shutterstock_editorial_10118933co-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36000\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maya groomed Jacob while she was in a relationship with David (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Maya Stepney<\/h2>\n<p>When David met his son Jacob\u2019s teacher Maya there was an immediate spark. They moved in together, but Maya was hiding a very dark secret.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Maya was grooming teenager Jacob, and after he turned 16, they eventually began a sexual relationship. When the truth came out, David was devastated and full of guilt that he hadn\u2019t seen what Maya was doing to his son.<\/p>\n<p>She was sent to jail for having an inappropriate relationship, and was released a few months later having given birth to a baby boy.<\/p>\n<p>Maya left the baby \u2013 named Theo \u2013 on David\u2019s doorstep. For a while it wasn\u2019t known if Theo\u2019s dad was David or Jacob. But eventually it was proved that Theo was David\u2019s son.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Meena Jutla and Victoria Sugden romances for David Metcalfe in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>After the disaster of his relationship with Maya, you wouldn\u2019t have thought David could choose a worse partner. But next he started a romance with serial killer Meena Jutla!<\/p>\n<p>The relationship was short-lived but full of tension as David was developing feelings for Victoria Sugden \u2013 which made Vic a target for Meena!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>David and Victoria\u2019s relationship didn\u2019t last either, though David couldn\u2019t move on. He wanted to get back with Vic, but she had other ideas!<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019d fallen for Jacob!<\/p>\n<p>They had an intense romance and David couldn\u2019t handle it. He left the village for good with Theo, and though Vic and Jacob split, David didn\u2019t return for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/03\/07\/emmerdale-brings-leyla-back-final-time-killing-her-off-mistake\/\">Leyla\u2019s funeral<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5 boxout\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Matthew Wolfenden: Why did he leave Emmerdale after 17 years as David?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">\n                    Matthew Wolfenden played David Metcalfe in Emmerdale for 17 years, but left abruptly in 2023, thanks to strict rules on the show.\n<p>Matthew left to star in a West End production of Elf, which went against Emmerdale's strict \"no pantos\" rule.<\/p>\n<p>But his departure came shortly after an explosive racism row rocked the cast and crew of the show.<\/p>\n<p>Here's everything we know about his exit and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/02\/10\/matthew-wolfenden-future-emmerdale-return-david-metcalfe-two-years-exit\/\">whether he could return.<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Racism row for Matthew Wolfenden<\/h2>\n<p>Back in November 2021, it was reported that Matthew and his co-star Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden, had been involved in a furious row during filming alongside Aaron Anthony, who played Ellis Chapman.<\/p>\n<p>At the time, it wasn't revealed what went on but it was said the argument left onlookers feeling uncomfortable. No one was suspended at that point.<\/p>\n<p>But later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/tv\/16658230\/emmerdale-clash-matthew-wolfenden-isabel-hodgins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Sun<\/a> reported that a mixed-race actress was upset by an \"inappropriate comment\" made on set and that her accent was mimicked.<\/p>\n<p>And the newspaper made the connection that both Matthew and Isabel had been absent from filming since the incident.<\/p>\n<p>Both Matthew and Isabel denied any wrongdoing. Aaron Anthony, who was said to have confronted Matthew about the incident, left the show.<\/p>\n<p>And Charley Webb - who was married to Matthew at the time - left her role as Debbie Dingle after 19 years.<\/p>\n<h2>Return to musical theatre<\/h2>\n<p>When the dust settled, Matthew won the role of Buddy in Elf. He therefore wanted to take a break to return to his musical theatre roots.<\/p>\n<p>But Emmerdale bosses wouldn't relax the show's \"no panto\" rule for him and so he made the decision to quit.<\/p>\n<p>He says the door has been left open and he could return one day.<\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_36017\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-36017\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36017\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"David Metcalfe, aka Matthew Wolfenden looks teary\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-1300x731.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/27_11_emm_jacob_victoria_david_06-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-36017\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Matthew left Emmerdale after 17 years as David (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n<h2>Marriage troubles<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, his marriage to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/04\/03\/emmerdale-debbie-dingle-charley-webb-rumours-return-social-media-co-stars\/\">Charley Webb<\/a> was in trouble.<\/p>\n<p>Charley and Matthew had been married for five years, and together for a decade longer, when they called time on their relationship in the summer of 2023.<\/p>\n<p>\"It is with love and respect that Matthew and I have decided to separate,\" Charley said in a statement on Instagram. \"We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children.\"<\/p>\n<p>The couple have three kids - Buster, Bowie, and Ace.<\/p>\n<p>Matthew is now in a relationship with choreographer and dancer Heather Scott-Martin.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\n                <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Read more:\u00a0<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2025\/01\/01\/whos-leaving-emmerdale-2025-complete-guide-departures-returns-new-arrivals\/\"><b>Who\u2019s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src-consent=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b06rE6Fv29M?si=26vP3WO3TkjMhoKR&amp;controls=0\" data-consent-required=\"true\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p><b>Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Visit our Facebook page<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838\">\u00a0<b><i>@emmerdaleinsider<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>\u00a0for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmmerdaleInside\"><b><i>@emmerdaleinside<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s actually quicker to list the women in the village David hasn&#8217;t had a romance with! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734181,"featured_media":36021,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"David Metcalfe Emmerdale","_yoast_wpseo_title":"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob's grooming horror","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale was the long-lost son of Eric Pollard. When he first arrived he was a proper chip off the old block.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob's grooming horror","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_secondary_title":"","secondary_post_title":"","dbc_origin_post_id":0,"dbc_origin_site_url":"","homepage_headline":"","excerpt":"","dbc_special_tags":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1359","slider_placement":"","_slider_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1359],"tags":[1402,1575],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-35955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-characters","tag-david-metcalfe","tag-matthew-wolfenden"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.4 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>David Metcalfe in Emmerdale: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob&#039;s grooming horror<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale was the long-lost son of Eric Pollard. 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When he first arrived he was a proper chip off the old block.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-04-03T14:44:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Emmerdale-Split-images-banner.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1980\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kerry Barrett\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"David Metcalfe: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob&#039;s grooming horror\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EmmerdaleInside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EmmerdaleInside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kerry Barrett\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kerry Barrett\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/e1524d5b1dd8938e75df0e5104835b14\"},\"headline\":\"David Metcalfe: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob&#8217;s grooming horror\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-03T14:44:55+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/\"},\"wordCount\":1134,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Emmerdale-Split-images-2-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"David Metcalfe\",\"Matthew Wolfenden\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Characters\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/\",\"name\":\"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale: His many, many romances, cancer battle and son Jacob's grooming horror\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/david-metcalfe-emmerdale-romances-cancer-battle-son-jacob-grooming-horror\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Emmerdale-Split-images-2-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-03T14:44:55+00:00\",\"description\":\"David Metcalfe in Emmerdale was the long-lost son of Eric Pollard. 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