Duncan Preston

Duncan Preston (born 1946) is an English actor probably 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. In July 2010, Preston revealed he was to take a break from Emmerdale in early 2011 for 5 months to star in the theatre production of To Kill A Mockingbird.^[1] He departed from the serial in February 2011.

Career

Preston has also made many guest appearances in various TV series, including (Hunters Walk) (1970's police series) 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.^[2]

He was also a regular cast member in the sitcom Surgical Spirit and appeared as Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004. Preston is currently seen in Emmerdale as Doug Potts, the father of Laurel Thomas.^[2]

Personal life

His ex-wife is former Emmerdale actress Susan Penhaligon, who played Jean Hope, they married in 1986 but this ended in divorce in 1992. They subsequently reconciled in 1997 but have not remarried. The couple live in Walton-on-Thames with her son Truan Munro.

Stage work

A renowned Shakespearean actor, Preston has performed in many productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Trevor Nunn's acclaimed version of Macbeth (stage 1976, television 1978), starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, as Angus. Other theatre work, includes a 2007 production of To Kill A Mockingbird.

He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Bradford on the 4 December 2002 "for his contributions as an actor".^[3]

References