Emmerdale bosses delighted as Danny Miller signs bumper new contract amid fears of star quitting the soap

EMMERDALE bosses have secured their main man - soap hunk Danny Miller – with a bumper new contract amid fears he may have thoughts of quitting.

The 26-year-old actor – rape abuse victim Aaron Dingle – has won the coveted Best Actor in the British Soap Awards three times in 2011, 2012 and 2016 as well as helping the hit rural show to scoop this year’s TV Bafta’s for best continuing drama.

Last year he lifted the Best Male Dramatic Performance to add to his collection.

And he is up once more at this weekends’ awards - now due to be aired on Tuesday - which would make it a staggering fourth gong for best actor.

But behind the scenes before the glitzy televised show, we can reveal that Danny has put pen to paper on the dotted line to delight bosses by agreeing a new contract.

A family friend revealed exclusively : “Danny is thrilled to be staying at Emmerdale after an amazing year there with really tough storylines to play out.

“His family are completely over the moon as well.

“There had been rumblings from the Emmerdale hierarchy that Danny may want to try pastures new – as he has left in the past and returned.

“So there were some serious talks between all parties and the word is that the offer of a hefty pay rise convinced him to stay – after all he does love the job there and it’s clear he is so well thought about in the industry and the viewing public with his amazing collection of awards.”

He admits to being “humbled” at the latest nomination.

He said “It never stops being overwhelming, the fact the work is acknowledged. If I win again it would mean just as much as the first time – the fact people are making the effort to vote for you is amazing, and anybody getting up on that stage and accepting an award on behalf of Emmerdale is a bonus for all of us on the show.”

The writers have given Danny some truly challenging material in the last 12 months, as Aaron struggled to cope with his abusive father’s suicide in prison, then faced jail himself where he spiralled into self-harm and drug abuse.

The actor even goes so far as to say it’s perhaps the toughest year he’s had from an acting point of view – and it’s hardly been plain sailing since he took on the role of Aaron nine years ago.

In recent times viewers were left heartbroken when Aaron admitted on the soap that his father had abused and raped him since he was eight years old, and were left gripped by the story as it unfolded.

But is now appears he’s set to get a happy ending after becoming part of a much-loved pairing with Robert Sugden – with the pair being nicknamed ‘Robron’.

Aaron and Robert Sugden, played by Ryan Hawley, 31, are hopefully going to tie the knot soon - but Danny admits he's still not used to wearing an engagement ring on set.

When asked if it feels "weird" to wear it, he answered: "Yeah it does! As some of you might notice I can't stop playing with it!"

Asked about his favourite Robron moment, he said: "The first kiss against the low loader. Who knew where we'd be 2 years later ".

Emmerdale declined to comment.

• Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7pm

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