This month marks 28 years since Emmerdale cast member Dominic Brunt joined the show as adored Paddy Kirk. And nearly 30 years later, fans still love his character.
While he celebrates his Emmerdale anniversary, the star has taken a few breaks over the years to do different projects. But he always has ended up right back in the village.
So what is his life like away from the soap? From his Emmerdale breaks to his famous wife, let’s have a look.
Dominic joined Emmerdale in 1997 (Credit: ITV)
Dominic’s career away from Emmerdale
In recent years, Dominic’s love for TV also progressed to behind the scenes projects.
As a big fan of horror, Dominic, along with on and off screen pal Mark Charnock, arranges an annual film festival in Leeds.
That’s not the only side career he has, buy he and his wife also embark on numerous projects together. This includes founding Mitchell Brunt Films, where his wife works as a producer and writer on several of the company’s films.
Despite these other opportunities, Dominic’s heart seems to lie with Emmerdale.
He spoke to Loose Women: “It takes two to four years to get the funding together. And sometimes films collapse, sometimes they go forward. But it can be a tricky situation.
“I don’t ever want to do one by halves. So I only do them every few years. I am happy with Emmerdale, and I really love it. I’m a big fan of the show, and I am very lucky. I have probably dodged a couple of bullets and I never take it for granted.”
Who is Dominic married to?
Dominic is married to fellow actress Joanne Mitchell, who has even starred on Emmerdale.
The couple both attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and have been married since 2003.
And if Joanne’s name sounds familiar with Emmerdale fans, that’s because she played Sandra Flaherty, Liv’s mum.
While they keep their relationship private, the couple have two sons: Mickey Joe and Danny Lee. However, while their exact ages are unknown, it’s believed they are teenagers.
Despite their private lives, Dominic shared on This Morning how they faced a health scare when Danny underwent heart surgery at eight months old.
He said: “It’s the most horrific thing to have to go through as a parent. But he’s football mad now – he is completely fine. He has to have a check up once a year for the rest of his life. At the time it was horrific, you’re in the eye of the storm. It was horrible. You think you are going to lose your son.”
Paddy is a fan-favourite on the show (Credit: ITV)
Dominic’s Emmerdale breaks
While Emmerdale cast star Dominic Brunt confirmed his loyalties lie with the ITV soap, he has had a few breaks over the years.
Paddy has left our screens for a few short periods of time, most notably when he temporarily moved to Germany.
But it seems these breaks were so that Dominic could put more focus onto his horror movies that he makes alongside his wife.
And as he himself admitted he only does one every few years, it seems Paddy is safe in the village for a little while longer.
There is disaster in Emmerdale next week as a night out ends in horror and according to Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy, there could be deaths in store!
As the women and men of the village head off for two special nights on the town, tragedy strikes.
And now Dominic has hinted that it could also mean someone is about to die!
Chas and Liam haven’t been together long but he wants to make it official! (Credit: ITV)
Liam plans a romantic surprise for Chas
Things kick off when romantic Liam tries to win a limo for the night in a raffle. He’s got plans to propose to Chas and he wants to do it in style!
But despite Liam’s best efforts, he doesn’t win! So desperate to pop the question, he begs Suzy to find him another limo.
With two limos in the village, the party-goers divide into men and women and head off!
Caleb wants Cain to confess! (Credit: ITV)
Caleb wants answers from Cain
But tensions are simmering under the surface. Liam’s antsy when he realises Chas will be with the other women instead of him. And worst of all – there’s no drivers for the limos!
Caleb offers to drive one car, while Charity takes the other. But Caleb is still livid about Cain and Ruby and he’s determined to make his brother confess.
The women’s car descends into chaos, distracting driver Charity (Credit: ITV)
Living it up – for now!
The women, meanwhile, are living it up in their fancy motor.
And as a huge row breaks out in the men’s limo, the women descend into chaos.
Both drivers are distracted and the cars both swerve off the road in separate accidents!
As one limo crashes into an icy lake it leaves one group of revellers facing devastation.
But is it the men or the women who are in danger?
One limo plunges into a frozen lake – but which group is in danger? (Credit: ITV)
Dominic Brunt teases deaths ahead in Emmerdale
Paddy, played by Dominic Brunt, is among the men who join Liam in his limo.
And Dominic has given us a sneaky hint about what to expect from the dramatic stunt.
He admits he’s not sure where the two groups are heading as they take off from the village.
“I don’t actually know the destination because we never get there,” he says. “Well, there is a destination. A very final destination…”
Hold on a minute! Does that mean someone’s going to die? Suddenly we’re remembering those flashforwards from new year, which showed us Cain standing beside a freshly dug grave, and Caleb flatlining in hospital.
Plus, of course, there was that desperate hand as someone was trapped beneath the ice.
Viewers have speculated that the hand could be Leyla’s as she is rumoured to be leaving Emmerdale and there is speculation she could be killed off.
So does this mean it’s the women’s limo that plunges into the lake?
Perhaps!
The flashforwards also showed us a frightened Mack running through the woods – is he desperately trying to get to Charity after the accident?
Who is Cain mourning? (Credit: ITV)
Tragedy in Emmerdale says Dominic Brunt
Of course, the only way we’ll know for sure is to watch. And Dominic says we won’t be disappointed with this dramatic stunt.
“I think these are definitely some of Emmerdale’s most dramatic episodes that we have created for a long time,” he reveals. “And it is very tense!”
We can’t wait to see them!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
There must be something in the water at Emmerdale, given the number of real-life couples that the soap has produced. Love has blossomed between several of the soap’s co-stars over the years.
Although some have just been short-term relationships, others have developed into marriage and babies!
Here’s a look at 10 couples whose eyes first met across the famous village…
Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop have been married for eight years (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Emmerdale couples: Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop
Who knew Eric and Brenda were a real-life couple? Chris Chittell is Emmerdale’s longest-serving actor, and has been entertaining audiences with his portrayal of scheming Eric Pollard since 1986. Lesley Dunlop joined the soap in 2008 as Brenda Walker, and it wasn’t long before she and Chris became an item.
The couple, who both have two children each from their previous marriages, got hitched in June 2016. Their wedding took place at St Peter’s Church in the coastal village of Coverack in Cornwall.
Despite living and working together, Lesley and Chris have a policy not to talk about Emmerdale once they get home. But that might have been broken a few times over the years seeing as their characters have had an on/off romance.
We think they make such a gorgeous pair.
Zoe Henry and Jeff Hordley are childhood sweethearts (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry
Jeff Hordley is known to millions as Emmerdale bad boy Cain Dingle, who’s bedded just about every woman in the village. But there’s only one woman for Jeff – his co-star, Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona Goskirk.
This handsome couple go way back. They first met in 1994 when they were students at drama school. Jeff proposed after Zoe won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Manchester Evening News’ theatre awards. They got married in 2003.
Two years later, Zoe and Jeff welcomed their daughter, Violet, who was followed by son Stan in 2008. The family live in Yorkshire and are keen gardeners, who grow their own produce at their allotment.
Zoe and Jeff have been a couple for 30 years and have spent the last 14 of them both working at Emmerdale. However, don’t expect to see a Rhona/Cain storyline any time soon because they rarely have scenes together.
Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden announced their split in 2023 (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden
Despite the fact they’re no longer together, Charley and Matthew are still Emmerdale’s most well-known real-life pairing.
Their love story started back in 2007, a year after Matthew joined the soap as David Metcalfe. Charley was already established in her role as Debbie Dingle.
In September 2009 the couple announced they were expecting their first baby, and welcomed son Buster the following spring. Charley and David went on to have two more sons – Bowie, in December 2015, and Ace came along in July 2019.
The couple gave their friends and family an unforgettable surprise in 2018 when they invited them to Charley’s 30th birthday, which turned out to be a secret wedding. Lucy Pargeter, who plays Charley’s on-screen aunt, Chas Dingle, acted as their bridesmaid.
Sadly after five years of marriage Matthew and Charley announced their separation in 2023. In a joint statement on Instagram they said:
“It is with love and respect that we have decided to separate. We remain friends and our priority is the love for our children.”
Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter are proud parents to a daughter (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
She was the first actress to play Amy Wyatt, between 2010-2013 before Natalie Ann Jamieson took over the role. While James played the character of Jake Doland from 2007 to 2009.
The couple went Instagram official back in October 2018 and shared some adorable shots with their pet dog.
An engagement announcement followed on June 13, 2021, and in 2023 Chelsea and James revealed they were expecting their first baby. Their little daughter arrived last June.
Emmerdale real-life couples: Natalie J Robb and Johnny McPherson
Natalie and Johnny, who play Moira Dingle and Dr Liam Cavanagh respectively, enjoyed a whirlwind romance.
They went from colleagues to lovers after spending time together doing a charity trip to Lapland in December 2019. Just three months later the world was plunged into lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. Natalie and Johnny decided to fast forward their relationship by moving in together.
The couple managed to keep their love under wraps until June 2020 when they appeared on a Zoom chat together.
Johnny and Natalie stayed together for a year before deciding they were better off as friends. The exes have appeared in Emmerdale scenes together since their split, but have both said there’s no awkwardness there.
Dominic Brunt and wife Joanne Mitchell are both in the business (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Emmerdale real-life couples: Dominic Brunt and Joanne Mitchell
Paddy’s love life has been chaotic to say the least, but thankfully that’s not the case for his alter-ego, Dominic Brunt. The popular Emmerdale star is happily loved up with wife, Joanne Mitchell – who also happens to be an actor.
Dominic has portrayed village vet Paddy since 1997, but Joanne has played no fewer than four different Emmerdale characters.
Her first role was as DS Karen Barnborough, who investigated Zoe Tate’s rape allegation against Scott Windsor in 2003. Three years on, Joanne played Midwife Yeo and this was followed up by two stints as CAFCASS officer, Susan Davies.
But fans will probably remember her best as Liv’s mum, Sandra Flaherty, who she played intermittently from 2016 to 2022.
Dominic and Joanne met when they were both students at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. They married in 2003 and are parents to their sons, Mickey-Joe and Danny Lee.
It was love at first sight for Fiona Wade and her former co-star Simon Cotton (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton
People often meet their other-halves at work, and that’s what happened for Fiona Wade.
The actress, who is best known for playing Priya Sharma between 2011 and 2023 met her husband, Simon Cotton on the set of Emmerdale. Simon had a short stint as Home Farm Estate client Hugh Bryant in August 2017 and says it was love at first sight.
The couple got engaged at the end of 2018 and married in December 2019. Fiona and Simon exchanged vows in a Bahá’à Faith ceremony at Euridge Manor and Orangery, surrounded by their family and several Emmerdale co-stars.
Since leaving Emmerdale, Fiona has gone on the road in a touring production of 2:22 A Ghost Story.
Emmerdale real-life couples: Max Parker and Kris Mochrie
Max Parker and Kris Mochrie were another couple who fell in love on the set of the ITV soap.
On-screen, the actors played brothers Luke (Parker) and Lee Posner (Mochrie). The day they first met was actually Kris’s last filming on the set of Emmerdale. Max was instantly attracted to his co-star, and decided to slide into Kris DMs after spotting his profile on Tinder.
They got together in July 2020, and were engaged by January 2022 after Max popped the question.
Mark Jordon and Laura Norton have been a couple since 2015 (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Laura Norton and Mark Jordon
Laura is best known for playing Emmerdale motormouth Kerry Wyatt, while Mark played Daz Spencer. Some viewers may also remember him for his iconic role of PC Mark Bellamy in the ITV teatime drama, Heartbeat.
They’ve been together since 2015, and met on the set of Emmerdale.
Laura and Mark are parents to three-year-old son Jesse, and daughter Ronnie, two, both of whom have been diagnosed with Usher Syndrome. The rare genetic condition affects hearing and vision and can lead to blindness.
The couple are united in their mission to help find a cure for the disease, and are working hard to raise both awareness and funds.
The Emmerdale couple are married with two children (Credit: SplashNews.com)
Emmerdale real-life couples: Michelle Hardwick and Kate Brooks
Love isn’t just amongst the actors on Emmerdale. Michelle Hardwick, who plays vet Vanessa Woodfield, is married to Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks.
The couple first met when Michelle was working as a producer on Emmerdale, and went public with their romance on National Coming Out Day in September 2017.
The following year, Michelle popped the question to Kate. They had an intimate wedding at Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland home in Memphis, followed by a big party back home for their family and friends.
They are now parents to son, Teddy, who Michelle gave birth to in October 2020. And they completed their family with the arrival of daughter Betty in November 2022.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale is one of the soap’s best loved and iconic characters. His friendship with Marlon Dingle, rollercoaster love life, comedy moments and hard-hitting emotional storylines have made Paddy an Emmerdale legend.
Now he’s busy planning his second wedding to ex-wife and rekindled old flame, Mandy Dingle.
Paddy and Mandy are planning their wedding (Credit: ITV)
Who is Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale?
Paddy’s the son of Barbara, and Bear Wolf – a former wrestler who only reconnected with his son in recent years.
He has one daughter – Eve – with ex-wife Chas Dingle. Their first baby girl, Grace, lived only for an hour after she was born.
He’s also a father figure to Chas’s son, Aaron.
Paddy and Mandy hit it off straightaway (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Paddy’s arrival
Paddy came to Emmerdale way back in 1997 as a locum vet to cover for Zoe Tate. He hit it off with Mandy, though his mum Barbara didn’t approve.
When Mandy married her cousin Butch as a way to stop the family being evicted, Paddy was heartbroken. But they eventually got it together and tied the knot.
Paddy and Emily broke up when he cheated (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Paddy’s love life
Paddy and Mandy were happy for a while but when her dad got ill she had to spend time away looking after her half-siblings. And she eventually began an affair with her dad’s carer. She and Paddy split.
Paddy found comfort in sweet Emily Dingle – Butch’s widow – and they started a romance. They walked down the aisle and became foster parents, caring for many children including Debbie Dingle.
But Paddy had an affair with Viv Hope. And when Emily found out, she left the village for good.
Next, Paddy started a romance with Chas Dingle – nothing like keeping it in the family, eh? He got close to her son, Aaron, and helped him when he was struggling with his sexuality.
Chas cheated on Paddy and the pair split.
Paddy moved on, falling for fellow vet Rhona Goskirk, who’d been in a relationship with Paddy’s bestie Marlon. Awks! Oh, and she was pregnant with Marlon’s baby.
Somehow, the trio made it work, though, despite Rhona’s painkiller addiction.
But when Paddy cheated with Tess Harris, it all fell apart.
And eventually, Paddy got back together with ex-girlfriend Chas.
Paddy and Chas said a heartbreaking goodbye to their baby girl, Grace (Credit: ITV)
Baby Grace
Chas and Paddy were surprised but delighted when they found out Chas was pregnant. But their joy turned to devastation when they were told their unborn baby had bilateral renal agenesis and wouldn’t survive long after birth.
They decided to continue the pregnancy, and in heartbreaking scenes, their baby was born, only to die shortly afterwards. The pair imagined the life their daughter Grace would have had.
Later, the pair were nervous but thrilled to discover Chas was pregnant again and their daughter Eve was born in 2019. Chas and Paddy tied the knot in a Christmas wedding in 2020, but their marriage fell apart when Chas cheated with Al Chapman.
Paddy considered taking his own life (Credit: ITV)
Paddy’s depression
Last year, after the collapse of his marriage, the death of Aaron’s sister Liv, and losing baby Grace, Paddy fell into severe depression. He even considered taking his own life.
With the help and support of his friends, he’s got through the darker times.
He’s now engaged to Mandy and the pair are busy planning their second wedding.
Who plays Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale?
Paddy is played by Dominic Brunt. Dominic is married to actress Joanne Mitchell (who played Liv’s mum, Sandra) and the pair have two children.
In real life, Dom is close to his co-star Mark Charnock, who plays his on-screen best friend Marlon. The pair share a love of zombie films and run a zombie film festival each year in Leeds.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.
![Paddy Kirk [DOMINIC BRUNT] hits rock bottom in tonight's Emmerdale - with scenes depticting Paddy's suicidal thoughts.](https://tvguide.co.uk/emmerdale-insider/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/02_03_emm_paddy-1024x684.jpg)