Emmerdale fans gobsmacked at David's epic hair transformation as he returns

Emmerdale fans were shocked on Friday evening as David Metfcalfe finally returned to the village sporting a very different look.

David ( Matthew Wolfenden ) has been noticeably absent from the ITV soap for a few months but resumed filming earlier this month.

David and his girlfriend Victoria Sugden abruptly left the Dales and it was later reported that actors Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins were caught up in an alleged race row.

The pair were reportedly involved in an incident on the set of the show, where it was claimed there was a conversation between the onscreen couple and another actress, who said her accent was mimicked.

Emmerdale fans were shocked on Friday evening as David Metfcalfe finally returned to the village (ITV)

As David returned during Friday's episode, he gave his teenage son Jacob quite a shock as he emerged through the shop's back door.

"What the hell are you doing? Why didn't you say you were coming back!" Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) shouted at him.

"Sorry we've been away so long, thought Theo's ear infection was never gonna clear up," David told him as Victoria emerged on the shop floor too.

David had undergone somewhat of a transformation and was sporting a new hairdo (ITV)

As much as fans were delighted to see the duo back on their screens, they couldn't help but notice David's new hairdo.

Taking to Twitter, one person posted: "Dubious haircut for returnee David. All that’s missing is a pair of bovver boots # emmerdale."

A second person joked: "Fu*k me David's, turned in to action man! #Emmerdale."

A third viewer wrote: "#Emmerdale what the hell has David Medcalf done with his hair???"

David and his girlfriend Victoria abruptly left the Dales and it was reported that actors Matthew Wolfenden and Isabel Hodgins were caught up in an alleged race row (ITV)

Someone else tweeted: "#Emmerdale what the hell has happened to David’s hair. An accident with a bottle of peroxide maybe?"

Another soap fan joked: "Looks like David has had a fight with a bottle of bleach. #Emmerdale."

It's unsure what lies ahead for David and Victoria in the near future, especially as Meena Jutla is heading back to the village.

Meena made an appearance at the end of Thursday's episode when she discovered Dawn Taylor and Billy Fletcher are planning to get married on February 14.

Viewers are now worried there's going to be a Valentine's Day massacre in the Dales, and pretty much no one is safe from Meena and her manic ways.