Duncan Preston

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Duncan Preston

Born	Duncan Preston 1946 (age 61–62) Bradford, West Yorkshire, England

Duncan Preston (born 1946, Bradford, West Yorkshire ) is an English actor best known for his appearances in television productions written by Victoria Wood. His best remembered roles are Clifford in the Victoria Wood As Seen On TV soap opera parody Acorn Antiques (and the musical of the same name), and Stan in dinnerladies.

He has also made many guest appearances in various TV series, including Secret Army, The Professionals, All Creatures Great and Small, Robin of Sherwood, Bergerac, The New Statesman, Press Gang, Chalk, Boon, Casualty, Heartbeat, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Holby City, Peak Practice, Midsomer Murders, Dalziel and Pascoe and My Family.

He was also a regular cast member in the sitcom Surgical Spirit and appeared as Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004.

He is also known for his Theatre work, such as his participation in a 2007 production of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Duncan is a renowned Shakespearian actor, having performed in many productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Trevor Nunn's acclaimed version of Macbeth, wherein he played Angus.

He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Bradford on the 4th December, 2002 "for his contributions as an actor."

His wife is former Emmerdale actress Susan Penhaligon, who played Jean Hope in the soap.

Duncan currently plays Douglas "Doug" Potts who is the father of Laurel Thomas, the wife of Emmerdale's vicar Ashley Thomas. He arrived on April 30 along with his wife Hilary for a meal with their daughter. All went well, but after they left, they were involved in a car crash. Doug escaped with comparatively minor injuries but Hilary was left in a coma for several weeks. Hilary recovered and she and Doug later returned to meet their new grandson, Daniel. They have both been permanent characters in the soap since.