Original Emmerdale Lucas Taylor star’s life – forgotten soap role and famous dad
Emmerdale has launched the career of a number of young actors throughout the years – including original Lucas Taylor star Dexter Ansell.
Dexter, who has recently been seen in critically acclaimed Sky series The Midwich Cuckoos opposite Keeley Hawes, landed his big break on the ITV soap in 2019.
He played Lucas Taylor, the son of Dawn Taylor – but did you know he also had another secret role in Emmerdale before this?
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That's not all, as the young star has had quite the interesting life too, including following in his famous X Factor dad's footsteps.
Here, Daily Star takes a closer look inside the life of original Lucas Taylor star Dexter Ansell.
Secret soap role
Although Dexter Ansell is most famous for playing Lucas Taylor in Emmerdale, the young actor had a secret role on the soap too.
Between January and May 2016, he played Jimmy King's son Carl Holliday, before the role was taken over by Charlie Munro Joyce.
However, he returned to Emmerdale in June 2019 as Dawn Taylor's son Lucas, where he played the role for over two years until March 2021.
During this time, Covid restrictions meant that child stars were not allowed to be on set for health and safety reasons.
Dawn Taylor actress Olivia Bromley said that she missed Dexter a lot on set, telling The Express: "It's sad that we've not been able to film with him.
"As I think it would have added an extra layer to the high stakes to have him here. He's been upstairs for a long time now!
"I've been keeping in touch with Dexter – it was his birthday recently, so we had a little chat then. He's such a dream, he's so funny, like a little ball of energy."
Despite leaving the ITV soap, Dexter has not left our screens, as he recently appeared in critically acclaimed Sky series The Midwich Cuckoos as David Saunders.
According to IMDB, he is also listed as appearing in two upcoming films called Those Who Remain and Christmas On Mistletoe Farm.
Replacement shock
Fans were shocked in 2021 when the role of Lucas Taylor was taken over by newcomer Noah Ryan Aspinall.
The recast had not previously been announced by Emmerdale bosses, leaving fans surprised when they spotted the new Lucas star on screen.
"Help me has Lucas grown a new head now?" said one fan.
Another commented: "Lucas has been recast in Emmerdale," with a third adding: "That isn’t the Lucas we know!!"
"WAIT they’ve recast Lucas?" said another fan.
Another asked: "Tell me I’m right in thinking they’ve changed actor for Lucas on Emmerdale that’s def not the same kid?"
Although the announcement about the recast was not made, it is not uncommon for child stars to be replaced with older actors – which seems the case for the part of Lucas Taylor.
Famous dad
Dexter is not the only famous star in his family, as his dad is none other than Jonathan Ansell of group G4.
G4 finished second on the X Factor in 2004 and sold more than two million albums, as well as four sell out tours, before splitting in 2007.
The group later reformed in 2014, but away from G4, Jonathan has also led a successful solo career as a classical tenor – as well as performing in theatre productions including Whistle Down The Wind, A Tale Of Two Cities and The Mikado.
That's not all, as he has also collaborated with fellow X Factor star Rhydian to perform a 32-date tour of Les Musicals in 2021.
Away from the limelight however, he is father to Dexter and his older sister, and husband to wife Debbie King, who he married in 2009.
In 2016, Jonathan also gushed over Dexter landing his role as Lucas Taylor in Emmerdale – sharing a snap of his first photographs from an issue of Inside Soap on Twitter.
He tweeted alongside the sweet snap: "What a thrill today as our little baby boy Dexter has his first splash in a magazine!"
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm
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