EMMERDALE actor Matthew Wolfenden has confirmed that he has already landed another new project just days after his soap exit aired on TV.
The actor, famed for his role as David Metcalfe on the ITV soap, departed the show after close to 20 years in the role as the hapless shopkeeper.
It has been a trying time for the star whose marriage to his former co-star, Charley Webb, crumbling with the couple confirming their separation last month.
However, Matthew has been keeping himself occupied following the split with new work projects.
Matthew took to his Instagram stories to share a new post about his next acting role.
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Remaining coy and vague, he teased: "First day of new project."
He could be seen stood next to a piano alongside a series of pages of sheet music, possibly hinting at a brand new musical role.
The former Emmerdale star is currently appearing in Elf the Musical on the West End stage.
It was here that he was supported by his new girlfriend Heather Stanley who went to support her new love after his first run of shows.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Matthew had moved on from Charley with the personal trainer after they were pictured strolling hand-in-hand after one of his shows.
They resembled “honeymooners” as they walked hand-in-hand through oblivious crowds in central London back to Matthew’s apartment nearby.
The covert pair were spotted several times before the announcement of the end of the showbiz couple’s marriage.
The trained professional dancer was charging £280 for eight one-to-one personal training sessions and discount classes online.
A source said of Heather: “Heather was wary about getting too involved with Matthew too soon, but is head over heels.
“She was trying not to be seen with him, standing away from the stage door when he emerged from show rehearsals and shows. But now the cat is out of the bag.
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“Heather is a clean cut, popular woman who was desperate not to be painted as Matthew’s ‘other woman’. She’s not happy about being thrust into the conversation of his celebrity marriage breakdown.”
Matthew and Charley had tied the knot in 2018 and have three children together - Buster, 13, Bowie, eight, and Ace, four.
They released statements on their Instagram accounts in which they insisted they will remain friends.
Charley's version gushed: "It is with love and respect that Matthew and I have decided to separate.
“We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children. For their sake we would appreciate privacy at this time."
In his own statement, Matthew shared the same words as his estranged wife, but from his own perspective.
But hours later, he was snapped arm-in-arm with his new sexy pal Heather.
Matthew has not been ready to share his new love publicly - keeping her a secret from the majority of his theatre work colleagues.
Charley, 35, and Matthew, 43, first met on the set of Emmerdale in 2007 - and by 2009 they were engaged.
The couple previously split in 2013 for two years before having a surprise wedding in 2018.
They tied the knot at Ripley Castle in Yorkshire. Friends thought they were attending a party to celebrate Charley’s 30th birthday.
Afterwards, she shared: “That moment when we announced what we were doing and seeing everybody’s reaction is the best moment of my life.”
