Soap favourite and I’m A Celebrity star Danny Miller opens up about preparing to become a dad again, dramatic times on the Dales and some behind-the-scenes jungle secrets
Life looks set to become even more hectic for busy actor Danny Miller, who is best known for playing troubled Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale – a firm fan favourite since he joined the Yorkshire soap back in 2008. Last month, the 34-year-old, who has a son, Albert, three, and a daughter, Edith, one, with wife Steph Jones, revealed on Instagram they are expecting baby number three.
Here, Danny, who won I’m A Celebrity in 2021, talks exclusively to new about parenthood – including why they have no intention of fining out if it’s a boy or a girl., exciting updates in the Dales – which see Aaron and John Sugden’s big day thrown into chaos when John’s past catches up with him, amid the sudden reappearance of his ex – and his dream role…
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Danny, you’re set to become a dad again. Congrats!
Thank you! Three is definitely the magic number – and probably the last one! My job is very demanding, and we’re a few hours away from family, so it’s not easy, but we’re excited. We’ve got two beautiful children already. It just feels like we’re completing the family.
Do you know the gender?
No, we never actually find out. We like it to be a surprise. There aren’t many surprises left in life – this is the best kind of natural surprise you can get.
Do you feel prepared for an even busier household?
Well, we’ve never had three children before, so it’s definitely a bit unknown! We know it’ll be hard with two to look after and a newborn. You just have to throw yourself into it.
Has fatherhood changed the kind of work you want to take on?
Not really. Steph is so supportive, even when it means long hours or being away. We work it out together and are more selective about what makes sense to pursue, but she holds the fort incredibly well.
Do you feel guilty, leaving for long shoots?
Of course. Any parent would feel that guilt. You miss moments. But thanks to camera phones and videos, you still get to see a lot. When I’m home, it’s about being truly present – work can wait until tomorrow. Family is always the priority.
Would you want your kids to go into acting?
I’ll support whatever they want to do. Albert is very creative – he loves performing and dancing. Edith follows him around, too. They’ve got such a special bond and I love seeing that. Whatever they choose, we’ll be fully behind them.
Who’s the stricter parent, you or Steph?
Me! I don’t know if it’s outdated thinking, but I feel like dads often take on the “bad cop” role when it comes to authority and discipline. It’s about balance.
It’s all going on in Emmerdale. How did you react when you read the wedding script?
Well, it’s one of our special episodes. We’ve started exploring a lot more now than ever before. It’s really interesting because it’s done from John’s imagination, which makes it very different. With so many soap weddings, you have to find ways to make them feel fresh. It’s set across three days and it’s a lot of fun – but of course, there’s drama and angst, too. Soap weddings are always pretty wild!
How does it feel to be a part of making telly history?
It sounds much more important when you put it like that! But yeah, it’s nice. It’s always great to push the boundaries and explore new ways of storytelling, especially with so much brilliant TV out there now on Netflix, Amazon, and the rest. ITV and ITVX are trying to keep up, and we’re here for it.
After filming such intense scenes, how do you and the cast blow off steam?
We’re a sociable cast, but during busy filming days there’s not always time. After we wrapped this storyline, we went to the local pub near the village, raised a glass and celebrated with each other. We often find little moments during filming to have a laugh, too.
You won I’m A Celeb in 2021. What did you love about the show, and was there anything you didn’t like?
I hated the boredom. Even with great people, there’s only so much you can talk about. What I loved was showing people who Danny really is, not just Aaron, my character. It was an amazing feeling, to be myself on a show I’ve loved since childhood. It felt like a real achievement.
Was there any behind- the-scenes madness we didn’t see?
Not that I’ve not signed a NDA for! What you see is what you get. If something major happens, they usually show it. The one shock is how tiny the portions of food are. You can’t believe how little rice and beans you get. Plus, no condiments – that was tough.
What would your dream TV project be?
My friends Jack McMullen and James Nelson-Joyce have just done This City Is Ours – it’s brilliant. Playing an underworld gangster would be a dream. But I’m happy where I am right now.
Would you do Celebrity Big Brother?
Honestly, I don’t know. I saw that challenge in the last series where they were all dressed as cats – not sure I could do that all day! But never say never. Sometimes you end up knocking on the door begging to be on these shows.
Emmerdale airs weeknights, 7.30pm, on ITV1. Or stream on ITVX
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