Danny Miller, best known for his portrayal of Aaron Dingle on ITV’s Emmerdale, recently opened up about his father’s battle with dementia.
While appearing on Loose Women, I’m A Celebrity winner Danny became emotional, admitting he’s ‘lost his dad’ to dementia.
The 33-year-old actor recently revealed that his father, Vince Miller, is living with dementia. Vince is a well-known figure in Manchester’s entertainment scene, having spent decades working as a compère and host for some of the UK’s biggest acts, including The Beatles and Take That.
Danny said to Denise Welch that he really misses his dad and that picking up the phone to him ‘just isn’t possible anymore’. He wanted to remind anyone suffering first or second hand with dementia that ‘they’re not alone’.
The soon-to-be father of three went on to say, ‘I love my dad so much’ and credits him for being where he is today.
Speaking candidly, he said: ‘Sometimes when we visit him in the care home, we get the opportunity to have a good visit, and there are bad visits as well.’
Danny rose to fame on Emmerdale as Aaron Dingle, a troubled character who has endured harrowing storylines including abuse, mental health struggles, and the death of loved ones. It’s a role that has earned him numerous awards, including multiple Best Actor gongs at the British Soap Awards.
His character, Aaron, quickly became a fan favourite. From the trauma of childhood abuse at the hands of his father Gordon to grappling with his sexuality and mental health, Aaron’s journey has been anything but easy.
In 2021, Danny was crowned King of the Castle on I’m A Celebrity after winning over viewers with his humour, warmth, and determination. Filmed at Gwrych Castle in Wales during the pandemic, he took part just weeks after the birth of his son Albert, and said the win meant everything.
Away from the soap world, he is the co-founder of the charity Once Upon a Smile, which provides support to bereaved families. The charity’s mission resonates even more deeply with Danny now, as he experiences firsthand the challenges of supporting a loved one through illness.
Danny has taken to social media to document his experiences navigating his father’s journey with dementia in the hope of helping other families.
He concluded his interview by saying, ‘I love my dad so much and he’s the reason that I’m sat here talking to you today, and I love you, dad if you’re watching, keep smiling.’
