Car is running like a 3 legged horse, shuddering when idle, cut out once, smells of burnt oil when driving sometimes, and odd noise from exhaust when accelerating.

Auto regen was done few weeks ago but maybe didn't complete or DPF is full and needs cleaned?

No local mechanics want to go near it. Can I remove the DPF myself?

Don’t remove it the MOT man will instantly fail it, if the van wns built with it it “must” be installed. Get the engine hot put it in first gear when at a quiet country hill and floor up the hill for 2mins at 4 1/2 k rpm., look in your mirror you’ll see the black gunge behind coming out. Make sure your cam belt is within its service spec.

Remove the dpf and clean in out by hand with dpf cleaner then refit if you are sure that is the issue