Merrells: 'Home Farm tone will change'

Jason Merrells has hinted that Emmerdale fans can expect Home Farm to be the setting for "funnier" scenes once his screen family take over the business.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Merrells's character Declan Macey is to take charge of the estate, where he will soon be joined by dad Dermot (Frank Kelly), ex-wife Ella (Corrinne Wicks) and daughter Mia (Sapphire Elia).

The new era for Home Farm comes as the remaining members of the Wylde clan prepare to depart the village in the weeks ahead.

Speaking about what is in store over the coming months, Merrells commented: "There is a whole family being landed on me and the way that each of them arrives is quite interesting.

"I think the producers are looking for a different tone at Home Farm now, less intense and a bit funnier than the brilliant but intense stories of the past."

Discussing Declan's relationship with Ella, the actor added: "Perhaps they got divorced too quickly. He's been trying to work and build a future without her and I think it's the last thing he expected.

"But I think there is something still there between them. The main thing about their relationship for me is that hopefully it will be funny. They have quite a lot of banter with each other."

Ella makes her first appearance in next Wednesday's episode of the ITV1 soap.

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