Emmerdale couple Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden reveal their future on the soap

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden attend The British Soap Awards at The Lowry Theatre on June 3, 2017 in Manchester, England. The Soap Awards will be aired on June 6 on ITV at 8pm. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

Real-life Emmerdale couple Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden have opened up about their future plans...

Emmerdale fans will be pleased to know that Debbie Dingle and David Metcalfe aren't going anywhere, after actors Charley and Matthew spoke about their future on the ITV soap.

Although Charley is on maternity leave after welcoming the couple's third child into the world, she has reassured fans that she won't be leaving permanently any time soon.

In an interview with OK! Magazine, the couple set the record straight about whether they'd seek new projects and move away from the soap.

Emmerdale Debbie Dingle

Charley has been playing Emmerdale's Debbie Dingle since 2002 (Picture: ITV)

Charley revealed: "There's always going to be a part of you that thinks, 'Do I want to try something else?' I'm sure there will come a day when I might, but I'm happy where I am for now."

Matthew added, "I'm really happy there, too."

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In fact, Charley admitted that going to work would probably make her a better parent as she wouldn't be around her three children all the time.

Emmerdale David Metcalfe

Matthew has been playing Emmerdale's David Metcalfe since 2006 (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

The actress has played Charity and Cain Dingle's daughter Debbie since 2002, and has been involved in a number of key storylines on the soap.

Her husband Matthew plays David Metcalfe, first appearing on the show in 2006. He's the son of Eric Pollard and Lydia Metcalfe.

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Despite the fact they're both happy on the show, Matthew stressed the importance of making sure that Charley didn't "feel pressured" to go back to her role on the soap.

Debbie leaves for Scotland, can Charity say goodbye in Emmeradle

Charley's character Debbie is currently in Scotland, while the actress is on maternity leave (Picture: ITV)

He added, "Now we have three kids, it's important she enjoys this time, because once she's back at work, she's back. And knowing her character, Debbie, she will go back to a big storyline."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.


She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress