Jason Merrells confirms Emmerdale exit

Jason Merrells has confirmed that he has left Emmerdale to spend more time with his family.

Last week saw Merrells character, Declan Macey, in explosive scenes as he attempted to kill his deceitful wife Charity during a countryside holiday.

The big week of episodes ended with a mystery as Declan went missing after falling into a lake following a violent showdown for the Maceys.

Declan’s ultimate fate has yet to be revealed, but Merrells has now announced that he has finished filming with the soap.

“It was never going to be a job for life and I’ve stayed way longer than I thought I would. I’ve really enjoyed it but problems are still there – travel and living away from home,” he told the Daily Star.

“This job is full-on, so every week I’m 200 miles away from my family and my home and after a while you think, ‘As much as I love the work, I don’t want this forever’.

“Being in Emmerdale is not something I could have done forever.”