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It’s the story that has Emmerdale fans talking – and that’s just how ITV soap star Danny Miller likes it.
Currently, the alter-ego of the 34-year-old is oblivious, with Aaron Dingle having no idea of the dark secrets of hero complex driven husband-to-be John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).
Over the years, we have seen Aaron at the forefront of some high-octane, heavily emotional material but being on the periphery is new territory, the actor told Metro in a recent exclusive interview.
‘I’ve enjoyed of finding ways of playing an oblivious Aaron, as he doesn’t know who John really is. It’s refreshing to talk about now as the audience finally know about it.
‘But having to play Aaron ignore all the red flags, it’s nice not to be inquisitive and to be in the dark. Somewhere down the line, it’s bound to come out, but we don’t know when.’
This week, John’s anger has grown towards Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb). He discovered the truth about John’s old lover Aidan Moore and then immediately told Aaron, who reacted by saying he’s not even sure if he wants to marry John anymore.
But there’s much more to come. Danny and Oliver have known the general trajectory of John’s nature for some time but, as a wedding approaches, certain truths may come to light.
Wedding joy – or wedding doom?
It’s going to be explosive and format-breaking, the star – who returned after a five-year hiatus – promised.
‘I have never been a part of a story like this where it’s gone on for so long that Aaron has been oblivious while the audience get the full detail and I watch with interest to see what happens.
‘It’s a typical soap wedding, I guess. ‘There are a lot of surprises along the way, it’s not a normal wedding in terms of it being straight-forward; it’s very different.
‘They decided to show a new way of how we tell stories, to try and keep up with Netflix and Amazon and these brilliant dramas being made. So it’s a bit of a special episode, there are a fair few surprises, a couple that are huge and a couple that people will really enjoy – and some that people won’t!
‘It’s good to get people talking. There are some really big moments in there that will blow the audience’s minds. To be a part of that is amazing.’
'It's bizarre to be shortlisted for a British Soap Award alongside Eden Taylor-Draper!'
Danny is up for the coveted Dramatic Performance prize in the British Soap Awards longlist.
But, while he is thrilled to be up in the nominations, it’s actually someone else he will be casting his votes towards.
‘Any nomination like that shows that the producers are happy for you – they’re the ones who put you forward for it, which is nice.
‘But it’s a bittersweet feeling really because Eden (who plays Belle Dingle) is a very close friend of mine and she has played out this 18-month story of utter stress, and real, deep and emotional days, day in, day out. So, to be nominated alongside her is a bizarre thing.
‘But also a very nice thing that I am in the same company as Eden. I’d love to be shortlisted, I guess, so I can go and enjoy the night but, also, my vote goes with Eden.’
Having had a hiatus of a year, the Soap Awards being back is the perfect time to celebrate the genre during a choppy time for an industry that has lost Doctors, Holby City, River City and soon to be Neighbours, as well as significant cuts at Hollyoaks.
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‘I think you’ve just highlighted exactly the feelings among the cast here. There’s going to be a good crowd going down because it feels like now, more than ever, we should be supporting and promoting soaps.
‘We have lost Doctors, we have kind of lost Hollyoaks in a way and other soaps that would usually be in there with you. It will feel smaller and more intimate but soaps are so important to this country, to our televisions and beyond – we sell abroad too.
‘It’s always nice to go down and support and show we’re still as interested in this as you are, and be part of that celebration.
‘Whether we walk away with none or walk away with the lot, it’s our duty to go. I am just hoping, seeing where my wife’s at with obviously being pregnant. I’m not sure because it’s London which is gutting, it’s not as straightforward for me to attend. ‘
‘If I make the shortlist – which would be bizarre and incredible, so many deserve it more than me but that’s my opinion, many might feel differently – it would be good to try and find a way to go down and respect that nomination and say thank you.
‘The baby’s not far off, so it depends if that’s a sensible decision or not, but if I’m not there, I’ll be tuned in. Fingers crossed all goes well!’
You can vote in the British Soap Awards by heading to www.britishsoapawards.tv.
Viewers know that John has orchestrated a number of situations that have put lives on the line, to then go on to save them. But, when it came to Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter), he was unable to reverse it, and he then had to dispose of a body.
Congratulations are in order!
Danny doesn’t have much time to wind down at the end of a hard day’s filming. He and wife Steph recently announced her pregnancy and the proud dad to two children, Albert, 3, and Edith, 2, couldn’t be more thrilled to be welcoming a third addition into the fold.
‘It’ll amazing to be a family of five. It’s nice to have that addition, the family is growing. It’s a lovely feeling to have another on the way.
‘It’s a lot different for me now, I don’t have time to worry about unwinding because the kids are very good at doing that.
‘I get home, they’re happy to see me, we have a little play about, throw them about a bit, get them in the bath and into bed. We’ll have our tea and then, before you know it, I’ve got to be learning lines. Then it’s 6am and I’m off to work again!
‘It’s nice not to have time on my own anymore, it helps to shut out any emotional stuff out that’s going on with work. Leave that where it is, which I was never really good at doing but which I am much better at.’
‘It wouldn’t be my decision to go’
And as for Emmerdale? Hopefully we have Aaron for years to come – certainly, if he has his way, that will be the case.
‘Do you know what, I love this job more than I ever have. To be able to raise a family on the back of this amazing show with such incredible people.
‘It certainly wouldn’t be my decision for Aaron to leave or have a break ever again. I just adore it; I wouldn’t ever want to leave again, off my own back.
‘It’s just trying to live each day and each year’s contract by exactly that and hope they ask me to stay.’
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7:30pm on ITV, with each episode dropping at 7am on ITVX.
This article was originally published on 17th April 2025.
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