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Megan Shaw

Emmerdale's Danny Miller opens up about 'on-set panic attacks' and crippling anxiety during time on soap

Danny Miller won the hearts of the nation last year with his down to earth attitude, his hidden singing talent and his bromance with campmate David Ginola when he was crowned I'm a Celebrity champion after two weeks in camp at Gwrych Castle.

The lovable character is best known for his role as Aaron Dingle in the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale. During his time in the soap he has won a series of awards including best actor in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

He has also been nominated for sexiest male a number of times and also won best soap relationship and best male dramatic performance as well as Male Soap Superstar.

READ MORE: Emmerdale's Martelle Edinborough on her role in horror film directed by co-star

Danny left the Dales for good last year after a 13 year stint last year explaining that while it was a "very tough decision" to call it quits on the Yorkshire-based soap, it was one he made for his "new family" after he and fiancee Steph Jones became parents for the first time to baby Albert.

At the time of his departure the star shared an emotional video with fans after his final scenes on the hit soap. The now 31-year-old actor recorded a video of himself in tears as he left the fictional village for the final time.

In the video which was posted to Emmerdale official social media accounts Danny explained that he'd had to "pull over" after leaving the farm because he had become so overwhelmed with emotion after saying goodbye to his former colleagues.

And now one year on from being crowned King of the Castle the TV personality has opened up about his darkest days whilst filming for Emmerdale as he speaks candidly about his struggles with mental health.

Danny revealed that he experienced multiple panic attacks whilst on set and would often be so overwhelmed with anxiety at some points that he'd have to pause filming during the midst of his battle his depression and crippling anxiety.

In an emotional chat with his former co-star Adam Thomas and his brothers Ryan and Scott Thomas on their Mancs on the Mic podcast, Danny said: "I'm not gonna sit here and say, 'I wanted to kill myself', but I certainly thought it would be easier if I wasn’t here."

He went on to explain that he initially thought he had an overactive thyroid before he learnt that was experiencing symptoms of anxiety and panic attacks.

(Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

Danny explained: "I had it loads in Emmerdale when I've got a big scene and I’ve gone, 'oh my god, I’m gonna pass out'. They [the crew] go 'stand by', and my brain’s going, 'you're gonna f*** this up'. I would have to go, 'sorry, you'll have to cut there. I'm sweating.' I used to think it was an overactive thyroid. That’s what I got checked for. But it was anxiety, I just didn’t know how to deal with it."

"I didn’t have anything to lose, and I thought it would just be easier if I wasn’t here. That was the deepest and darkest it went. I never thought about it. I couldn't."

Since bagging top spot on I'm A Celebrity Danny has been enjoying some well deserved family time with his wife to be Steph and their little boy the trio recently enjoyed their first holiday abroad with baby Albert.

You can find the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and features by visiting our homepage dedicated to the ITV soap.

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