Duncan Preston

Duncan Preston is an English actor. He is known for his appearances in television productions written by Victoria Wood, including his roles of Clifford in the soap opera parody sketches Acorn Antiques, and Stan in the sitcom Dinnerladies (1998-2000). He reprised his role of Clifford in Acorn Antiques The Musical in 2005. His other television roles include Jonathan Haslam in the sitcom Surgical Spirit (1989-95); playing Kevin's dad in Harry Enfield and Chums (1994), and Douglas Potts in the soap opera Emmerdale (2007-11, 2014-present).

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.

He was also a regular cast member in the sitcom Surgical Spirit and appeared as Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004. Preston played Doug Potts in Emmerdale for a number of years, (the father of Laurel Thomas). He has also appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.

Preston married actress Susan Penhaligon, who played Jean Hope in Emmerdale, in 1986. They divorced in 1992 but subsequently reconciled in 1997, though they have not remarried.

A renowned Shakespearean actor, Preston has performed in many productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, including playing Angus in Trevor Nunn's version of Macbeth (stage 1976, television 1978), starring Ian McKellen and Judi Dench. 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 4 December 2002 "for his contributions as an actor".