Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden set for drastic makeover ahead of shock cancer storyline
EMMERDALE actor Matthew Wolfenden is set to completely throw himself into the soap's upcoming testicular cancer plot by removing all signs of hair.
Matthew Wolfenden plays David on Emmerdale
The star's character David Metcalfe will find out this week that he has the disease, after previously being told by Dr Jermaine Bailey that he had a suspicious lump.
“I’m about to shave my head and lose my eyebrows, eyelashes – everything,” the popular actor revealed, according to Daily Star.
“I’ve always had facial hair so it will be a first for me.
"But as soon as I heard about the storyline I said I would throw myself into it in every way to do it justice for the lads that have been through it.”
He previously asked for Leyla's help
Dr Bailey will diagnose him tonight
Matthew Wolfenden's son on Big Star's Little Star
As soon as I heard about the storyline I said I would throw myself into it in every way
It is hoped that the emotional scenes will bolster awareness of the illness, which is the most common form of cancer amongst men aged 29 to 49.
“Let's face it, men don’t want to drop their trousers for a doctor, they feel embarrassed," Matthew added.
“There’s a bit of bravado, I suppose, and it’s not something you want to chat to your mates about down the pub. Admitting that there’s something wrong with the most masculine part of your body is hard.
"But your mid-20s and 30s is the time to raise awareness and make it normal to discuss it.”
Will Pollard be a support?
David's diagnosis will be extra emotional tonight when a distracted Dr Bailey mistakenly gives him the all-clear, before later having to visit him at home to admit his mistake.
In tandem with the episodes, Matthew, 35, will also be launching Lorraine Kelly's Check Your Chaps campaign over the course of the week.
Emmerdale airs tonight at 7pm on ITV.