Hold onto your hats, Emmerdale devotees, because in a surprising and rather amusing turn of events, beloved star Danny Miller, the actor who so brilliantly portrayed the complex and often troubled Aaron Dingle, has confessed to a cheeky act of prop pilfering from the set of the ITV soap! In a recent appearance on the “Off Script” podcast, hosted by his former co-star Kelvin Fletcher, Miller revealed the surprising item he couldn’t resist taking as a memento – and the rather comical escapade that ensued. Prepare for a lighthearted peek behind the scenes of Emmerdale, tinged with a touch of nostalgic sadness for Aaron’s absence.
During the candid podcast conversation, Miller confessed to setting his sights on a particular prop that had caught his eye: a branded parasol that stood outside the iconic Woolpack pub. For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of Emmerdale’s fictional world, “Frame Monk” is the name of the brewery that supplies the Woolpack with its ale, making the branded parasol a recognizable and integral part of the pub’s outdoor setting.
Driven by a mischievous impulse and a desire to take a piece of his Emmerdale experience with him, Miller saw his opportunity and decided to seize it. However, the getaway was far from smooth. Miller recounted the hilarious struggle of trying to fit the rather sizable parasol into his “tiny little car.” He humorously described it as “one of them where you can just about roll the seat back and then you’re sort of sat on someone’s lap.” Undeterred by the lack of space, Miller was determined to make his souvenir heist a success.
The image he painted of his journey home on the M62 is truly comical. With the Frame Monk-branded parasol precariously wedged inside his compact vehicle, Miller had to resort to winding down the passenger window to accommodate its length. This resulted in the parasol repeatedly slapping him in the head every couple of minutes as he drove, a testament to his commitment (or perhaps stubbornness) in his prop acquisition.
Despite the repeated head trauma, Miller quipped that he was “thinking it’d be worth it,” highlighting the sentimental value he already placed on his stolen prize. However, his triumphant journey was short-lived. A chance encounter with another former Emmerdale co-star, Adam Thomas, who played Adam Barton, brought his escapade to an abrupt halt.
As Miller recounted, Thomas spotted the tell-tale parasol sticking out of his car window. Thomas’s immediate recognition of the prop and his somewhat deflated reaction – “Is that from work?” followed by a rather sad, “Hey, that is so sad” – clearly struck a chord with Miller. Perhaps it was the slightly mournful tone, or the realization that his souvenir was so easily identifiable, but Miller admitted that Thomas’s comment prompted him to reconsider his actions.
The guilt, or perhaps the sheer absurdity of the situation, led Miller to do the right thing. He confessed to taking the parasol back to the Emmerdale set. He recalled a moment a couple of weeks later during a tea break when he walked past the props department and overheard them conducting a prop check. The somewhat sheepish realization dawned on him as he heard them note, “Sure, we’re missing a parasol.”
While Miller’s tale is undoubtedly amusing, it also carries a hint of sadness for fans who miss his portrayal of Aaron Dingle. His confession, though lighthearted, serves as a reminder of his connection to the show and the characters we have come to know and love. The stolen parasol, a seemingly insignificant item, becomes a symbol of his time on Emmerdale and the memories forged on set.
This anecdote also offers a rare glimpse into the camaraderie and behind-the-scenes dynamics between the Emmerdale cast members. The easy banter with Kelvin Fletcher and the unexpected intervention from Adam Thomas paint a picture of a close-knit community, both on and off-screen.
Furthermore, Miller’s confession touches upon the emotional attachment actors can develop with their characters and the props that help bring those characters to life. The parasol, having stood outside the Woolpack, a central hub for so many pivotal moments in Aaron’s story, likely held a certain significance for Miller. His desire to take it as a memento speaks to the deep connection he felt with the show and his role.
While the “theft” was ultimately rectified, the story serves as a charming and somewhat poignant reminder of Danny Miller’s impactful portrayal of Aaron Dingle and the void his absence has left for many Emmerdale viewers. His confession, delivered with humor and a touch of sheepishness, provides a lighthearted anecdote amidst the often dramatic storylines of the soap. It’s a reminder that even amidst the on-screen turmoil, there are moments of levity and camaraderie behind the scenes.
For fans who cherished Aaron Dingle’s presence in Emmerdale, this story might evoke a bittersweet smile. It’s a reminder of the actor’s connection to the show and a small, quirky piece of the Emmerdale world that he briefly took with him. While we may not see Aaron propping up the Woolpack with his characteristic brooding intensity anytime soon, this tale of a stolen parasol offers a fond and humorous memory of a beloved character and the actor who brought him to life. It’s a very sad news in the sense that it reminds us of his absence, but also a heartwarming peek behind the curtain of our favorite soap. And perhaps, just perhaps, somewhere in Danny Miller’s home, there’s a slightly less conspicuous Emmerdale memento that made it past Adam Thomas’s watchful eye.
