EMMERDALE SPOILER: Michael Praed to make his debut in the soap this week as Tracy Shankley’s father
The former Robin of Sherwood heartthrob stars as jailed criminal Frank Clayton
MICHAEL Praed is set to make his debut in Emmerdale this week as Tracy Shankley’s estranged criminal father Frank Clayton.
Viewers will see the Robin of Sherwood heartthrob arrive on the soap on Thursday evening as he is visited in prison by Tracy’s fiancé David Metcalfe, played by Matthew Wolfenden.
In a scene released by ITV, Frank is seen entering the visitor’s room in the prison introducing himself to David, who is there to try and reconcile the estranged father and daughter after he proposed to Tracy.
Frank congratulates David on the engagement and is pleased that he wants to help him reconcile with his daughter – who he calls ‘Teenie’.
David tells him that his cancer has made him see what’s important and tells Frank that a reconciliation would be “the best wedding present ever” and hopes he is released in time for the big day.
Frank, who is in prison for assault, tells David that he has he been writing to Tracy but she hasn’t responded.
He then stuns his visitor when he says he’ll write to her again – when they’d fixed the date for his early release.
On joining the soap, Praed, 56, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale to play the role of Frank.
“From what I understand his life is fairly complicated and I’m looking forward to getting to know him and portraying this complex man.”
The show’s series producer Iain MacLeod added: “The character of Frank is really fascinating: flawed, funny, flirtatious – even fatherly, when it suits him!
“His tale is a story of a man trying to find redemption in the face of huge temptation, with a massive twist or two thrown in for good measure.
“I am thrilled that Michael is on board in the role. He is an actor of real skill and understatement and a brilliant addition to the cast.”
Michael became a pin-up and a household name back in the Eighties when he starred as Robin of Loxley in the ITV series Robin of Sherwood.
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