Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant has clarified the paternity of Theo Metcalfe.
Viewers of the ITV soap will recall that Jacob was manipulated by his teacher Maya Stepney (Louisa Clein), who was also dating his father David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) in 2019.
Maya deceived Jacob into thinking they were in a legitimate relationship, but she was later imprisoned when their affair was exposed.
Upon her release from prison, it was revealed that Maya was pregnant. She ignored a call from Jacob and deleted his number from her phone.
After giving birth to a baby boy, she left him at David and Jacob’s house on Christmas Day with a note asking them to care for him before leaving the country.
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Emmerdale star Joe-Warren Plant has clarified the paternity of Theo Metcalfe (Image: ITV)
In January 2020, a DNA test confirmed David as the father, and he contacted Social Services who located Maya. While she was content for the baby to stay with David, he worried that she might return and take his son away, reports Leeds Live.
Despite the storyline airing five years ago, Joe-Warren disclosed that fans still approach him on the street to ask if Jacob is Theo’s biological father.
During a recent press gathering for , star Joe-Warren Plant addressed a popular fan theory: “One thing that people do bring up quite often when I’m out in public and they approach me is that they think Theo is actually Jacob’s son. That one keeps cropping up but I just laugh as it’s obviously not the case but it’s a funny theory that the fans have.”
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Maya Stepney groomed Jacob and later fell pregnant (Image: ITV)
Having portrayed Jacob Gallagher for 15 years, Joe-Warren hinted at an exciting future for his character, sharing with a hint of excitement, “There’s lots more coming up for Jacob, I can’t wait.
“The new episodes coming through have got me excited for the next year.”
Following the departure of co-stars Matthew Wolfenden and Roxy Shahidi, he expressed both sorrow and enthusiasm: “Now Matthew [Wolfenden] and Roxy [Shahidi] have gone, which was heartbreaking, it’s allowed me to work with other people who I don’t usually have scenes with and it’s been a breath of fresh air.”
Maya was in a relationship with Jacob’s dad David Metcalfe (Image: ITV)
Joe-Warren went on to describe the positive impact this change has had on him: “It’s nice to see the different dynamics Jacob has with other characters and I feel like It’s pushing me in a different direction rather than playing the son of Leyla.
“It’s been nice for me to try and do something different.”
airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX