Duncan Preston is a renowned English actor, celebrated for his captivating performances in various television productions, written by the esteemed Victoria Wood. His iconic roles include Clifford in the soap opera parody sketches Acorn Antiques, and Stan in the sitcom Dinnerladies, which aired from 1998 to 2000. Preston reprised his role of Clifford in Acorn Antiques The Musical in 2005, showcasing his impressive range as a thespian.
In addition to his work with Victoria Wood, Preston has made numerous guest appearances in various TV series, including the 1970's police series Hunters Walk, 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.
Preston has also been a regular cast member in the sitcom Surgical Spirit and appeared as Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004. His notable performance as Doug Potts in Emmerdale, where he played the father of Laurel Thomas, has been a significant part of his career. Furthermore, he has appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank, solidifying his status as a versatile and accomplished actor.
In his personal life, Preston married actress Susan Penhaligon, who played Jean Hope in Emmerdale, in 1986. Although they divorced in 1992, they reconciled in 1997 and have since remained together, albeit without remarriage.
As a Shakespearean actor, Preston has performed in numerous productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, including playing Angus in Trevor Nunn's version of Macbeth, which starred Ian McKellen and Judi Dench, in both stage (1976) and television (1978) formats. His other notable theatre work includes a 2007 production of To Kill A Mockingbird.
Preston's contributions to the world of acting have been recognized with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of Bradford, awarded on December 4, 2002, in acknowledgment of his outstanding work as an actor.
