Fans of Emmerdale will have been on the edge of their seats ever since last night when Aaron and Anthony Fox engaged in sexual abuse, only to later realize he had killed him.
The real battle was occurring behind the scenes, as it marked actor Danny Miller’s biggest and heaviest storylines since his return to the soap two years after his crippling panic and anxiety attacks forced him to decide to quit.
He feared he would pass out because the three-time Soap Award winner had such trouble filming such ominous scenes. But now Danny, 34, admits he’s found a perfect tonic to protect himself and his mental health: His new wife and children.
In an exclusive interview, Danny explains: “This dark storyline has been very hard to film. However, as a result of my younger years, I’m much more adept at leaving work at the studio door. I was affected by it at the time. But when you get home, you notice the children’s faces as they open the door and leave you with a hug.
Danny left Emmerdale after playing Aaron off-loan since 2008, leaving him in a dark place, and that has changed a lot since then. Six years prior, he was given the diagnosis of anxiety and depression by the doctors for what he believed to be a thyroid condition, but he acknowledged that the lockdown had been particularly difficult.
“I’m not gonna sit here and lie and say, ‘ I wanted to kill myself, ‘ but I certainly thought it would be easier if I wasn’t here”, he admitted on Ryan and Adam Thomas’s Mancs on the Mic podcast at the time. Adding about his difficulties on Emmerdale, he added: “They go, ‘ Stand by’, and my brain’s going, ‘ You’re gonna f*** this up, you’re gonna f*** this up’. I’m sweating and I go, ‘ Sorry, you’ll have to cut there’. I had it loads when I’ve got a big scene and I’ve gone, ‘ Oh my God, I’m gonna pass out'”.
In October 2023, Danny made the decision to move back to Emmerdale. He’d had some emotive scenes during Chas Dingle’s cancer plot. However, Danny’s role in some significant scenes has been the real test with the new child abuse storyline. To sum up, Anthony is alleged to have abused Ruby while Danny’s Aaron, who has been abused by his own father, feels compelled to help bring him to justice. Until, that is, Anthony’s found in a pool of blood and Aaron fears he’s taken things too far.
This time round, Danny’s feeling far more able to cope with the emotional impact of the storylines – thanks to wife Steph, who he married in 2022, and their children Albert, three, and Edith, one. “Without Steph, I wouldn’t be here in Emmerdale”, he tells us now. Stephanie is very good at checking in and checking me out, which is very helpful. At home, Steph is completely in charge, I am certain. She is amazing because she was born a mother.
Steph Jones and Danny first met in primary school, but they only started dating in 2019. Steph had booked a trip to St Lucia for his 30th birthday celebrations, so Danny proposed at a candlelit beach dinner in January 2021. They learned that they were expecting their first child together a month later. They both had previously battled mental health issues, and Danny claimed to have “saved each other,” as he stated in his speech when they wed in Cheshire in 2022.
Now, he says, there are no downside about returning to the soap. “I’ve definitely got no regrets. Steph and I made the best choice, he claims. Emmerdale gave me this opportunity, I really appreciate it. Many of my friends are currently experiencing difficulties. I love playing Aaron again”.
Even though we are aware of the possibility that Aaron’s confession to Ruby would have killed her father, there will still be others who could have done so. Danny is keeping a tight-lipped about what will happen next in the abuse storyline because it is something “people will watch and be affected by” he admits to feeling a huge responsibility to get it right. His character came out as gay in 2010 and it has benefited thousands of viewers because he knows what he’s talking about.
“I still hear people talking about Aaron coming out when I walk up to them.” Even though it has been a while, he says, “I’m still really proud of it because we played against stereotypes and it helped to change perceptions.” “I can remember when Gavin, who was a dear friend and our producer, gave me the opportunity. He said it would alter the course of my life. Although he tragically passed away many years ago, I can still recall my gratitude for his story and the assurance that I have never looked back.
What we love is the fact that you play this hard man who also happens to be in love with a man, say so many people frequently. Although it came with a lot of risk, I’ll always be grateful. “The Dingles are Danny’s ‘ second family ‘ and even have their own WhatsApp group. He was devastated when Steve Halliwell, the actor who played Zak Dingle, passed away in December 2023.
” It’s lovely to be part of the Dingles, “adds Danny”. Steve Halliwell, God rest his soul, was the one who made the Dingles who they are today. They are all very loyal. We have a private WhatsApp group message that evokes a true family atmosphere.
Danny says he is devoted to spending every second with Steph and his two children when he is away from the soap. Weekends, he says, are devoted to non-stop family activities”. We are always out exploring, “adds Danny”. At the weekend, we pack a lot in with family stuff! “
Danny dedicates his time to his family, but he occasionally participates in other TV shows. He won the I’m a Celebrity award in the first ever Welsh edition of the pandemic in 2021, of course, and he acknowledged that being crowned “King of the Castle” will always have a “special place” in his heart. I went in with no game plan, “he recalls”. I was so fortunate to be chosen by the voters. It’s the only time I haven’t watched the series! “
He didn’t have quite so much success, however, earlier this month when he took part on Mastermind, coming last with just ten points. His glum facial expression became a meme on X, which was formerly Twitter, where Danny was criticized for “sulking” and being a “bad loser.” Danny acknowledged today that his wife had questioned why he looked so miserable.
” Steph said to me: ‘ why did you look like that? It looks bad’, “he says”. I was embarrassed and genuinely ashamed that I hadn’t received more points. I can’t hide my feelings! I didn’t want to let myself down and make a fool of myself. But there were smarter, wiser celebrities against me. “
So would he like a rerun on Mastermind? Definitely not, comes the swift reply”. No, I will never go back on that show! It’s hard, “he confesses”. Although I enjoy doing quizzes, I’m considering doing something a little more laid-back, like The Chase.
Danny has no intention of leaving Emmerdale in the future. But he doesn’t take anything for granted with the recent high profile departures. You only sign a year’s contract at a time. There could be a day where they say: ‘ there won’t be another year’s contract after this’, which would be a horrendous meeting to have, ‘ he admits. “But I will always respect that this could be a possibility. Without knowing when it might or might not end, it makes you enjoy the job even more. I never take anything for granted”.
Emmerdale runs weekdays on ITV1 and STV at 7.30pm. On ITVX, episodes can also be downloaded.
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