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Duncan Preston is an English actor recognized for his roles in television works written by Victoria Wood, such as Clifford in the soap opera parody sketches Acorn Antiques and Stan in the sitcom Dinnerladies (1998-2000). He returned to play Clifford in Acorn Antiques The Musical in 2005. His other TV roles include Jonathan Haslam in the sitcom Surgical Spirit (1989-95), Kevin's father in Harry Enfield and Chums (1994), and Douglas Potts in the soap opera Emmerdale (2007-11, 2014-present).
Preston has also guest-starred in numerous TV series, including the 1970s police drama 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.
He was a regular on the sitcom Surgical Spirit and appeared as Dennis Stokes in Coronation Street in 2004. Preston portrayed Doug Potts in Emmerdale for several years, the father of Laurel Thomas. He has also featured on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.
Preston married actress Susan Penhaligon, known for her role as Jean Hope in Emmerdale, in 1986. They divorced in 1992 but reconciled in 1997, though they did not remarry.
A distinguished Shakespearean actor, Preston has performed extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including as Angus in Trevor Nunn’s production of Macbeth (stage 1976, television 1978) alongside Ian McKellen and Judi Dench. His theatre credits also include a 2007 staging of To Kill A Mockingbird.
On 4 December 2002, the University of Bradford awarded him an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in recognition of his contributions to acting.
