Danny Miller has shared insight into the surprising news that he decided to quit Emmerdale ahead of his debut on the new series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
The actor, who has played Aaron Dingle on the soap since 2008, decided to depart the show ahead of his stint in Gwrych Castle this weekend, so he can spend more time with his fiancée Steph Jones and their newborn son Albert.
Danny told MailOnline that he's hoping his I'm A Celebrity salary will be enough to support himself and Steph over the next year, adding his bride-to-be insisted he should still take part in the show after their son's birth last month.
Exit: Danny Miller has shared insight into the news that he decided to quit Emmerdale ahead of his debut on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! (pictured on as Aaron Dingle)
Danny said: 'I'm very different from my soap character, first and foremost I like to have a laugh, and poor Aaron doesn't unfortunately, but I think this is my big chance for people to see Danny Miller.
'That was part of the reason to do this show… because I've actually left Emmerdale.
'Unfortunately I decided to start a new path in life I've got my baby now and I'm getting married next year and this felt like the right time to open a new chapter in my life.
'I'm very emotional about it actually, it's been a massive part of my life, I kind of wanted to spread my wings for a while and a show like this gives me an opportunity to see what the hells happened after it and start a new life with my family and see what happens.
Family: The actor decided to depart the show ahead of his stint in Gwrych Castle this weekend, so he can spend more time with his fiancée Steph Jones and their newborn son Albert
'Obviously the show is a fantastic money earner and it gives me the opportunity to be off for a year if nothing happens and I'll be comfortable. I'm hoping stuff does happen and does come up but we'll see.'
Detailing his reasons for leaving the soap, he added: 'Our lives are run by two week schedules and life goes really quickly when you're in a soap.
'I've been in there 13 years, I've grown up with him, and I think it's time for him to start a new life, we work Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, so having a new baby, as a lot of the cast with kids know, it's difficult to spend much time with them, and you don't get much time off and you want to be busy to earn money with your family.
'You're kind of at the hands of storyliners and writers and that's something I wanted to free myself of. I want to be able to pick and choose and be there for my baby.
'With Emmerdale you're there all the time, so when the opportunity came up I decided to grab it both hands. But then we found we were pregnant it made me rethink the situation, but Steph has been amazing and said 'I want you to do it, I'll look after the baby and I'll have my parents around me''.
'It was a really tough decision, that's why I'm so emotional, it's the first time I've talked about it. I had to make the decision, but I'm hoping stuff happens after it, but I'm hoping I can have more time with the family and then see what happens.'
Perfect: Danny told MailOnline that the show's relocation to Wales has been a 'blessing' because he could quarantine with Steph and their son, who was born last month
Danny first appeared on Emmerdale as Chas' son Aaron in 2008, making headlines with an emotional plot that saw him come out as gay, before helping his paralysed boyfriend Jackson end his own life in heart-wrenching scenes.
In 2012 Danny left the role when Aaron decided to go on the run after being accused of arson, but eventually returned to the show in 2014.
Aaron also gushed that the show's relocation to Wales has proven to be a 'blessing in disguise,' because he's been able to quarantine with Steph and their son after his birth last month.
The star said he'd agreed to take part in the show when he and Steph decided to undergo IVF, believe their child would be born in early 2022, but suddenly learned that they'd fallen pregnant naturally.
He told MailOnline: 'In a way it's worked out much better because I've had two weeks in isolation with Steph and the baby, whereas I wouldn't have been able to have that opportunity in Australia.
Coming soon: Aaron will join nine other stars including Richard Madeley, David Ginola and Louise Minchin in Gwrych Castle for the new series of I'm A Celebrity this weekend
'So when we had the news it was Wales it was a massive blessing in disguise as it meant that Steph could come with us and isolate with Albert and really it's been like a baby moon for us
'We've had all the opportunities to establish breastfeeding and bond with the baby, and do skin to skin without anyone knocking on the door. Albert is just my world and Steph is an amazing mum, I definitely couldn't do this without her.'
Aaron will join nine other stars including Richard Madeley, David Ginola and Louise Minchin in Gwrych Castle for the new series of I'm A Celebrity this weekend, with stars once again facing a slew of gruesome trials to win stars.
First look images of the 2021 camp were revealed last week, ahead of the new series which kicks off later this month.
Ant and Dec are set to welcome 12 new faces into the grounds of the derelict Gwrych Castle, and aerial images show that the setting is bigger and better than before.
Hosts: Ant and Dec are set to welcome 12 new faces into the grounds of the derelict Gwrych Castle in Wales, and aerial images show that the setting is bigger and better than
