Emmerdale star Nick Miles has admitted he was left shocked over Jimmy King’s death plot. The character was killed off this week amid the wedding chaos, dying after being involved in a car accident.
Opening up about his departure after 22 years on the soap, Nick admitted it was “strange to be leaving” as the show has been a “huge part” of his life.
“I’ve always known that being a King meant Jimmy was a precarious character, so while the news was shocking, it makes sense,” he shared, “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities the show presented and the life it has given me.”
“Jimmy was originally a tough, unkind character – part of a family of snakes,” the actor noted. “The turning point was the house collapse; I realised Jimmy needed an epiphany to survive. I took the idea of him becoming a softer, more comedic man to the producer, Kath, and she agreed. Without that shift, I think he would have been written out years ago.”
Nick said it had been a “joy” to act opposite on-screen wife Nicola Wheeler and that Jimmy and Nicola’s “deep love beneath the surface-level bickering and moaning really struck a chord with the audience”.
“Off-set, we were like an old married couple, warming up our banter in the makeup room before heading to the studio floor,” he recalled. “I will miss working with her enormously; we both cried on my last day, but we remain firm friends.”
“Interestingly, Jimmy’s ‘sexy’ storylines – including scenes with Charity, Nicola, Kelly and Sadie – were a huge surprise, especially coming from a background where I was predominantly cast as thugs or coppers,” the actor added.
Nick said he was “thrilled with such a lovely exit”, and reflecting on his final days on set – which he called “tough but beautifully written” – he revealed that he took his dressing room star and suit from set. He also said he had a “lovely” catch-up with returning star Patsy Kensit, who plays ex-wife Sadie.
Looking to the aftermath of Jimmy’s demise, he teased: “Poor Nicola is going to be deeply frustrated with him for getting into such a pickle financially and for having sold out to Ruby and Caleb. I think he deeply regrets that. And if he could have just involved Nicola in his dealings, none of that would have happened.”
As for his own future, Nick admitted he was “excited for new adventures”, adding: “I’d be happy to return to playing coppers and thugs, and I look forward to watching Emmerdale to see how Nicola handles the mess Jimmy has left behind.”