Emmerdale star Frank Clayton could be heading back to the soap in a shock twist – four years after he was killed off.
The famous Cheshire village was shaken in August 2019 when the character, played by Michael Praed, was killed during an explosion in the sweet factory.
Frank, father to Vanessa Woodfield and Tracy Metcalfe, went from a dodgy dealer to a much-loved character during his three-year stint.
READ MORE: Emmerdale’s Charity and Mack romp in racy scene – but ‘naughty’ object distracts fans
Frank took the fall for the explosion, which was really caused by Kerry Wyatt and her daughter Amy – and Frank had only dashed inside to save Tracy from the fire.
However, now actor Michael has teased the character’s return – suggesting the storyline of a fake death (similar to EastEnders ’ Cindy Beale).
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In a new interview, the soap star quipped how Frank and Tracey might have faked his death in a bid for an insurance payout.
And maybe one day, in a major turn of events, he could return from the dead and rock up to the village.
When asked if he was sad about leaving the ITV soap, Michael said: “Yes, I was! I fell in love with working on Emmerdale.”
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He added to What’s On TV magazine: “It wouldn’t be a huge leap to have scheming Frank fake his own death. He could’ve cooked up a fantastic scam with his daughter Tracy to claim millions in life insurance. That could happen.”
Michael’s personal life isn’t as dramatic as life on the ITV soap.
His first marriage sadly didn’t work out – he exchanged vows with Karen Landau in 1994, but the pair divorced in 2009.
Now, however, he is married to fellow actor Josefina Gabrielle, known for her West End career and talent as a former ballet dancer.
Josefina has starred in everything from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical to Les Miserables – and has even had a project alongside Michael.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here .
In 2014, the pair starred in political farce play Two Into One, with Michael portraying cheating MP Richard Willey and Josefina playing his mistress, until bumbling parliamentary aide George scuppers it all up.
Though Michael was born in England, he actually grew up in Iran, without a television. He explained to The Sun that life over there was “idyllic”, admitting to spending whole days out in the swimming pool.
He said: “I spoke the language and my friends were wide and varied, from the Iranians to Americans, English and Dutch…
“My parents’ mantelpiece was stacked with invitations for cocktail parties, the ladies playing Mahjongg in the afternoon, smoking and drinking gin and tonic because there was nothing else to do.”
Later in life, Michael shipped back to the UK and attended Eastbourne College, a boarding school on the south coast.
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here .
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
