Sad news from ITV just now is that Danny Miller is leaving Emmerdale early next year.

Danny, who of course plays Aaron Livesy, issued a statement about his departure on the show’s official website.

He said, “It has been an incredibly difficult decision but after three years and much soul-searching I am eager to explore other roles.

“I am so grateful to Emmerdale for the opportunity that I have been given and have loved every moment.

“I will miss everyone enormously but this might not be the last we see of Aaron.”

And Stuart Blackburn, who is the show’s series producer added, “We completely respect Danny’s decision and are very grateful for the hard work and commitment he has brought to his role…

“We wish him all the best for the future and in the meantime there is still plenty more drama to come from Aaron well into 2012.”

Though it hasn’t yet been revealed how he’ll be written out, as Danny intimated in his statement, Aaron probably won’t be killed off.

However, landing the role as Aaron was in fact Danny’s last ditch attempt to crack the world of acting…

After auditioning for many parts – eventually landing a role in Grange Hill as Kyle Brown – Danny was becoming disheartened that he’d ever land a major part. So when he auditioned for ITV bosses, he apparently didn’t expect to land the role.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Danny said, “I went for tons of auditions and was getting really angry with myself because I was messing them up as I wanted them so badly.

“It was soul-destroying. I kept wondering what I was doing wrong and eventually I’d had enough.

“I agreed with my agent that the Emmerdale audition was my last before she took me off her books.

“So I think I went into Emmerdale with a different attitude – that I was interested but I had almost given up. And they seemed to like me.”

Indeed they did, as did, and do, us viewers. As Aaron, Danny’s had some tremendous storylines, including of course his relationship with Jackson Walsh after he finally admitted that he was gay.

However, tragedy wasn’t far away, beginning with this horrific crash…

Then of course, Danny excelled in the terribly moving scenes during which he helped Jackson to die.

Let’s take a look at the classic moment…

I certainly hope this won’t be the last we see of Danny!

Will you miss him?