Former Emmerdale star Ian Kelsey has opened up about his character's dramatic exit and hinted at a potential return to the ITV soap. Kelsey, who played farmhand Dave Glover from 1994, was killed off in explosive scenes on December 26, 1996, after suffering injuries and smoke inhalation from a fire.
Reflecting on a Christmas Death Watched by Millions
Speaking to Heart Bingo, Kelsey reflected on his departure from the show over 30 years ago. He explained the process of leaving a soap, saying: "If you speak to production and say, 'Look, I think I've had enough. I'm giving you notice that I want to leave,' when a producer tells the writers an actor is leaving, it gives them a deadline."
He added: "The sensible thing to do is not burn your bridges. At the end of your contract, you say, 'Could I possibly have six months off to do a theatre job?' Hopefully, you'll want to come back, so you get written out."
Kelsey noted that on Emmerdale, characters typically get written out by taking a bus to Hotten if they don't die, but he chose a different path. "I said I wanted to leave. I typically do things in three year stints and then want to move on," he said.
No Looking Back After a Fatal Exit
Describing his departure, Kelsey said: "I had a great exit too. It was a Christmas death, so millions of people tuned in. In hindsight, quite a lot of people have gone back to Emmerdale after leaving. But when you die, you can't look back. You're forced to look forward."
When asked about Claire King, who plays Kim Tate, and her comments on how Dave could be her son Jamie Tate's father, Kelsey admitted: "Oh, yeah, he was Dave's! Well, I know they had a DNA test or something, didn't they?" He added: "But she wasn't with anyone else when she was with Dave Glover. Maybe Dave Glover's twin brother needs to come back and claim his inheritance!"
Potential Discussions Over a Comeback
Kelsey also addressed whether he would like to return to the soap, saying he would be "grateful" and revealing he has had discussions with writers. "I'm hanging out at the studios with my partner Beth (Cordingly), who plays Ruby Fox-Miligan, and I have spoken to a few writers," he said.
He added: "They've said it has been mentioned before. Claire came back from the dead. Claire's husband, who's on it now, came back from the dead. So, you know, maybe I'll come out of the shower like Bobby Ewing!"
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV.
