Original Emmerdale Lucas Taylor star’s life – secret soap role to famous X Factor dad

Over the years, Emmerdale has helped a number of young actors establish their careers, including Dexter Ansell, who played the first Lucas Taylor.

Dexter, who most recently starred alongside Keeley Hawes in the highly acclaimed Sky series The Midwich Cuckoos, got his big break on the ITV serial opera in 2019.

Did you know that before playing Lucas Taylor, Dawn Taylor’s son, he had another unrevealed part in Emmerdale?

Not only that, but the young star has also led a very intriguing life, including following in the footsteps of his well-known X Factor dad.

In this article, Daily Star delves deeper into Dexter Ansell’s life as the original Lucas Taylor.

Secret soap role

Dexter Ansell, who is most known for his role as Lucas Taylor in Emmerdale, also had a hidden part in the popular soap opera.

He played Jimmy King’s son Carl Holliday from January to May of 2016 when Charlie Munro Joyce over the part.

He did, however, return to Emmerdale in June 2019 to reprise his role as Lucas Taylor, Dawn Taylor’s son, which he did until March 2021.

Child stars were prohibited from being on set during this period due to Covid regulations for their own health and safety.

Actress Olivia Bromley, who plays Dawn Taylor, expressed her regret at not being able to film with Dexter in a statement to The Express.

“Because I believe that his presence would have raised the stakes much further. He has been upstairs for quite some time!

“I’ve been in touch with Dexter; we had a brief conversation when it was his birthday lately. He’s like a little bundle of energy and is such a dream.

Despite departing the ITV serial opera, Dexter has continued to appear on our screens as David Saunders most recently in the critically praised Sky series The Midwich Cuckoos.

He is also noted as having roles in the upcoming movies Those Who Remain and Christmas On Mistletoe Farm on IMDB.

Replacement shock

Fans were stunned in 2021 when newcomer Noah Ryan Aspinall assumed the role of Lucas Taylor.

Fans were startled to see the new Lucas star because Emmerdale executives had not previously publicized the recast.

“Help me, has Lucas’ head changed now?” a fan stated.

Lucas has been recast in Emmerdale, said one commenter, and “That isn’t the Lucas we know!!” was added by another.

Another fan questioned, “WAIT they’ve recast Lucas?”

‘Tell me I’m right in thinking they’ve new actor for Lucas on Emmerdale that’s clearly not the same kid,’ a different person questioned.

Even though the recasting was not publicly announced, it is not uncommon for older actors to take the roles of child stars, as it appears will be the case for Lucas Taylor.

Famous dad

Dexter is not his family’s only well-known celebrity; his father is none other than Jonathan Ansell of the band G4.

Before breaking up in 2007, G4 had four sold-out tours, more than two million records sold, and placed second on the X Factor in 2004.

In addition to leading a successful solo career as a classical tenor and appearing in plays including Whistle Down The Wind, A Tale Of Two Cities, and The Mikado, the ensemble later reassembled in 2014, albeit without G4.

Not only that, but he has also teamed up with fellow X Factor contestant Rhydian to do a 32-date Les Musicals tour.

Outside of the spotlight, he is the father of Dexter and his older sister as well as the spouse of Debbie King, whom he wed in 2009.

Jonathan also bragged in 2016 about Dexter getting the part of Lucas Taylor in Emmerdale, tweeting a picture of one of his first photos from an edition of Inside Soap.

What a thrill today as our little newborn boy Dexter had his first splash in a magazine, he tweeted accompanying the adorable photo.