Joseph Gilgun quits Emmerdale

Emmerdale have confirmed that actor Joseph Gilgun will be leaving the soap next year.

“I will be sad to leave – I’ve made a lot of good friends there but I think it is time to move on as far as my career is concerned. – Gilgun speaking on the red carpet at the premiere of Harry Brown.

The 25-year-old, who has played Eli Dingle in the soap for three years since 2006, has said the time feels right to move on from the role.

The actor also revealed that his next career move will be a spin-off TV series of Shane Meadows’ This Is England, in which he played a character called Woody. “It’s really excited to see the old gang” he said of the role.

Asked what he’ll miss about Emmerdale, he added “The routine. You get into a massive routine working on a soap. I get to act every day, which is brilliant. And there are massive personalities there. I’ll miss my friends.”

A spokeswoman for the ITV soap this afternoon confirmed the actor’s departure and added that a return in the future for his character Eli Dingle would not be ruled out.