Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has taken on a new role and has shared the personal story behind his directing debut.
Mark, who has played Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale since 1996, appeared on Good Morning Britain today (Tuesday, December 3) to discuss his directorial debut.
The actor has stepped behind the camera to direct a heart-tugging film entitled ‘Life Long Fans.’ The short film accompanies GMB’s 1 Million Minutes initiative, which aims to combat loneliness. The idea is for viewers to pledge their time to charities that tackle the issues of loneliness.
Mark said he was honoured to be asked and revealed that he also has a personal link to the project.
He has played Marlon for nearly 30 years (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale star Mark Charnock’s directing debut
The actor appeared on Good Morning Britain, where he spoke to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about turning his hand to directing.
The project is in partnership with GMB’s 1 Million Minutes initiative. Mark’s accompanying emotional short features clips of two friends going to watch football together through the years. Once they reach old age, one of the friends passes away, while the other friend is shown at the football looking sad with an empty seat next to him.
That fan is left feeling isolated and lonely and no longer enjoys watching the football without his mate beside him. But the video ends on a hopeful note when the man’s wife arranges for his family to join him in watching the football.
Susanna and Ed described the film as ‘moving,’ while Mark admitted it was an ‘amazing experience.’
Mark Charnock appeared on Good Morning Britain (Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Mark Charnock’s personal link
The Marlon star revealed that when he was asked to come up with the story for the film, he had to rack his brains, but then inspiration came to him.
“Something so close to home, I almost missed it,” he said. He then shared his story, revealing: “I had two uncles, both of whom have passed away now. John and Michael. They were quite close in age and were like twins really. They did everything together and been going and watching Man United since the late 50s and all through the decades…
“Then quite out of the blue, the older brother passed away. And it broke my other uncle in half really. He lost half of himself. You know, he was OK, the years went by until he passed away, but those last 10/15 years he had without him, he was never really the same.”
He added: “Football gets a bad rap, but at its heart it’s a working class sport that brought people together.”
Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 on Tuesday October 8 reveal it’s the day of the double wedding and after the grooms had a wobble it’s time for the brides to have second thoughts! These episodes originally aired on February 16 and 17 2006.
Donna’s got something to tell a shocked Marlon (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Donna’s doubts in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
It’s the day of the double wedding and it’s time for the brides to start struggling with their big commitment.
Bob’s still missing and Viv’s starting to think the wedding’s off, while Donna’s concerned she’s not been completely honest with Marlon. So she heads off to the Dingles’ cottage where she admits she’s had wobbles about marrying him since day one, and reveals that she was in love with Max King.
Luckily, Marlon’s in a forgiving mood!
Jean kidnaps Bob!
Meanwhile Jean picks Bob up for the wedding, but when he notices she’s driven past the turn-off for Emmerdale, she slams on the brakes, locks the doors, and demands he gives their relationship another try! She tells him she won’t let him out until he agrees to go to Spain with her.
Trapped in the car, Bob’s forced to wrestle his way out and leg it! But as Jean drives off, he realises he’s in the middle of nowhere!
Viv’s fuming as the wedding’s off in Classic Emmerdale
Back in the village, a distraught Viv has decided that the wedding’s off and trudges off to the bridge alone – she’s startled when Bob jumps out of a car and tells her he was abducted!
Viv’s not impressed. She chucks her bouquet at him and shoves him into the river! But as she turns to leave, Bob announces he disappeared because he’s been having his vasectomy reversed!
Moving on?
As the dust from the wedding settles, Viv’s sad that Donna will be moving out. She convinces her and Marlon to stay with her to save money.
Alice frets over Samson
At the Dingles’ place, everyone’s celebrating Samson’s homecoming, but Alice can’t relax. She’s worried the baby will stop breathing.
It’s a busy couple of days for Jean! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Shock for Dawn!
And there’s a shock for Dawn when she finds her mum in bed with her ex-husband Terry! Needing help in the cafe, she ropes in Jamie, who thinks the whole thing is hilarious – but Dawn’s much less impressed.
Betty’s on the case in Classic Emmerdale
Terence has been borrowing money from his dad Alan, saying it’s for his ex-wife. Betty’s sceptical, so she puts on her Miss Marple hat and calls Terence’s ex. But as soon as Betty mentions Terence’s name, his wife hangs up! What’s all that about?!
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
Emmerdale has had more than its fair share of brilliant episodes. So many in fact, that it’s hard to pick a favourite. So instead we picked 12 of the best! Here are what we think are the best episodes of Emmerdale, ever.
The plane crash transformed Emmerdale as a soap (Credit: ITV)
The plane crash 1993
Emmerdale’s plane crash may have happened more than 30 years ago, but it’s still legendary among soap fans. The Beckindale Air Disaster marked the beginning of a new era for Emmerdale in many ways -Â the renaming of the village from Beckindale to Emmerdale, the end of several storylines and the start of many more!
Four characters were killed – Mark Hughes, Elizabeth Pollard (Eric’s wife), Archie Brooks and Leonard Kempinski – while Chris Tate was badly injured and left unable to walk.
The storyline was quite controversial at the time because it came just five years after the real-life Lockerbie disaster. But it was a hit with viewers and it transformed Emmerdale from a quiet countryside soap into the must-see television it is today.
Kim came back from the dead and shocked Frank into a heart attack! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Kim leaves Frank to die 1997
Kim Tate‘s marriage to Frank was dead and buried by 1997. She had cheated on him with Dave Glover, and thought for a while that baby James was Dave’s, only to discover that Frank was his dad.
When Dave was killed in a fire, rescuing little James, Kim well and truly went off the rails! She hired a lookalike to drive her car round the village, so everyone thought she was still there, then ran off to the Caribbean. But tragedy struck when the lookalike crashed the car into the lake and died. Frank identified the body as Kim and was arrested for murder!
When Kim returned, the shock of seeing his ‘dead’ wife caused Frank to have a heart attack. Kim coldly watched him die, without going for help. And as he breathed his last she checked for signs of life with the mirror from her handbag – then reapplied her make-up and left him on the floor.
Sarah didn’t make it out of the barn fire (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Sarah Sugden dies in the barn fire 2000
The Sugdens were were struggling with money, and Sarah Sugden had been having a steamy secret affair with farmhand Richie.
Adopted son Andy was determined to help them out of their financial hole and he came up with the idea of burning down a barn so dad Jack could claim on the insurance.
But he didn’t know that Sarah and Richie were inside when he lit the match. Richie made it out, but Sarah died in the flames.
Tricia was rescued by Marlon but died in hospital (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Best Emmerdale episodes: Tricia’s death 2003/4
Another dramatic death! Tricia Dingle was super popular with the Emmerdale residents and viewers alike. But on New Year’s Eve 2003, she was outside when a huge storm hit the village.
Lightning struck the Woolpack and the chimney collapsed, burying poor Tricia. Husband Marlon found her and called for help but though Tricia made it to hospital, she later died of her injuries. SOB!
The live episode in 2012 featured two weddings, two births and a murder! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The 40th anniversary live episode 2012
One of the best live episodes of a soap, ever! The live episode to celebrate Emmerdale’s 40th anniversary featured the weddings of Chas Dingle to Dan Spencer, and Katie Sugden to Declan Macey, and the births of Molly Sharma, and Jack Sugden Jr. AND a murder!
When Carl King tried to rape newly wed Chas she whacked him with a brick and believed she’d killed him. But actually Carl was finished off by future Dales serial killer Cameron Murray.
Cameron escaped from jail and held up the Woolpack at gunpoint (Credit: ITV)
The Woolpack siege 2013
Cameron’s killing spree that began with the live episode in 2012 came to an end a year later with a dramatic siege at the Woolpack. In one of the most tense episodes of soap ever, he held drinkers at gun point, shot Alicia Metcalfe and then pursued Chas and Debbie through the flooded pub cellar. Cameron was electrocuted and his murderous rampage in the Dales came to an end.
Emma pushed James from the road bridge and started a tragic chain of events (Credit: ITV)
The Hotten by-pass crash 2016
FIVE storylines came together in the thrilling crash that took place in October 2016. Emma Barton had been holding estranged husband James hostage in a Misery-style revenge plot.
When he escaped, she tracked him down to the road bridge – wearing her wedding dress, of course! – and shoved him off.
James plummeted on to the by-pass and on to a car driven by dementia-sufferer Ashley Thomas. Ashley’s car flipped and caused Pierce Harris to collide with a lorry, which then caused Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle‘s car to leave the road and plunge into a lake. Oh, and they just happened to have kidnapped Lachlan White and put him in the boot.
Just seconds later, Rhona and Paddy drove straight into the carnage and flipped their van as they tried to avoid it. It was one of the most impressive stunts in Emmerdale history!
Holly’s death was quietly devastating (Credit: ITV)
Best Emmerdale episodes: Holly Barton’s death 2016
Sometimes the best episodes are the huge stunts and sometimes it’s the quiet, devastating episodes that hit hardest. Holly Barton’s death from a drug overdose definitely fits the latter category.
Holly lay dead in bed, while mum Moira pottered around at home. And when she finally went to check on her daughter and found her dead, the shock was real. It’s almost a decade since Holly died, but her tragic demise still affects her family.
In 2018 Charity bravely faced her abuser in court (Credit: ITV)
Charity faces Bails in court 2018
Charity Dingle has been through a lot in her time in Emmerdale but perhaps the most heart-wrenching was when she finally faced her past. Charity revealed that she’d been sexually exploited by crooked cop DI Bails, and had a baby boy.
With the help of her new-found son, Ryan, she bravely faced her abuser in court in a very emotional episode.
Chas and Paddy said a sad goodbye to baby Grace (Credit: ITV)
Best Emmerdale episodes: Grace dies 2018
Chas and Paddy Dingle knew their baby Grace was going to die almost as soon as she was born, but that didn’t make the loss any easier. In a devastatingly sad episode, the new parents cuddled their little girl – who lived for just 29 minutes – as they imagined the future she might have had.
Meena was cold and remorseless as she killed Leanna (Credit: ITV)
Meena murders Leanna 2021
There’s very little we enjoy more than an Emmerdale serial killer and Meena Jutla was one of the best! Her utter lack of remorse as she stalked her prey made her super scary.
When birthday girl Leanna Cavanagh twigged that Meena wasn’t the caring nurse she pretended to be, Meena pursued her through the graveyard. The chase ended up on the bridge, where Meena pushed Leanna. When the fall didn’t kill the teenager, Meena climbed down and finished her off. It was brutal but gripping stuff.
Marlon was looking for the engagement ring he’d bought Rhona when he had his stroke (Credit: ITV)
Best Emmerdale episodes: Marlon’s stroke 2022
When Marlon proposed to a delighted Rhona, he rushed home to find the ring – only to suffer a stroke. Marlon’s experience as he lay helpless on the floor, waiting for help to come, was praised for raising stroke awareness. And his long recovery won actor Mark Charnock praise, too.
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
Classic Emmerdale spoilers for episodes airing on ITV3 on Friday October 4 reveal Viv’s baby plan as she tells Bob she wants to give him the chance to be a good father. These episodes originally aired on 10 and 13 February 2006.
Viv flies through the air on her activity hen do in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
The joint hen party gets underway in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
Viv is horrified when she discovers that Donna has booked an outward bound centre for their hen do. Her mood is even further dampened when she sees that Jean has joined them.
Things go from bad-to-worse as the two brides-to-be fall out. Donna then blurts out that she wishes she wasn’t getting married.
Meanwhile, Jean continues to wind up Viv and mentions that she’s married Bob twice. Viv is left feeling flat as she realises that she is just the latest in a long line of conquests for Bob.
Later, the miserable hen party returns to the village and as if Viv’s mood couldn’t sink any lower, she is informed by a reporter that readers have lost interest in Buffy and they will no longer be doing a feature on the wedding.
Viv is determined to make the wedding more appealing to the press, so she sacks Belle as ring bearer, and gives the role to the rabbit.
Viv’s baby plan
Bob apologises to Josh for lying to him about going blind, and tries to convince his son that he does care about him. Bob is gutted when Josh refuses to forgive him and returns home convinced he’s the worst dad ever.
Later, as Bob talks to Josh again, Viv watches on. Seeing how happy Bob looks she comes up with a plan.
Viv tells Bob that she would like to give him the chance to be a good father and says that she wants them to have a baby. Bob is shocked and explains that it can’t happen because he’s had the snip. Viv wants him to have it reversed, but Bob says no.
Vic argues with everyone at the wedding rehearsal and Marlon has had enough (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Marlon’s had enough in Classic Emmerdale spoilers
Marlon is sick of Viv’s demands and he and Donna attend the wedding rehearsal, but it turns into a row. The Dingles end up leaving in a huff, with Marlon trying to make it up to them.
Viv later interferes again and tells Marlon they’re moving the stag do to the following night. This upsets Marlon as it’s the date of his and Tricia’s wedding anniversary, but Viv isn’t fazed.
However, Donna is more understanding. When she finds out about the date change, she worries for Marlon and tries to speak to him. Marlon has had enough though and tells Donna he doesn’t want to talk about anything wedding related.
Alice plans a wing-walk
Alice takes control of her life and vows to do a wing-walk to raise money for chemo patients. Sam is shocked and worried when Alice announces the news. He tries to talk her out of it, but Alice remains determined.
Elsewhere, Dawn goes to an adult learning centre to look into courses. She realises that she’ll need to pass her driving test in order to get herself to and from college as some of the lessons don’t finish until 9.30pm.
Laurel and Charles had an unexpected and very passionate encounter in tonight’s episode of Emmerdale. One minute they were yelling at one another and the next, they were snogging the faces off each other.
Frankly, we’re not sure how we feel about this, erm, liaison. Charles just appears to be yet another bad decision on Laurel’s part. And she is no stranger to hooking up with the wrong blokes.
We’re not sure where Laurel and Charles is going but in the meantime, here’s our round up of Laurel’s dreadful taste in men!
Laurel and Marlon got together at the wrong time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bad timing with Marlon Dingle
This is a bit unfair, really, because other than an emotional kiss with dying ex-wife Donna, Marlon really didn’t do anything wrong. But he was definitely the wrong man for Laurel at the wrong time.
When they first fell for each other, she was still married to Ashley and she and Marlon agreed to put their feelings aside.
But after they split, she and Marlon got together and planned their wedding. Once they’d tied the knot though, having dealt with Laurel’s carjacking, and the death of Donna, Laurel began descending into alcoholism. Her behaviour led to the break-up of their marriage.
A stranger in a bar
When Laurel was at the lowest point of her addiction, she went off drinking in a bar, and flirted with a stranger in order to get him to buy her booze. She ended up spending the night with him, and it was after that she realised she needed help to kick her drinking habit. So in some ways, he did her a favour!
The fans hated Laurel and Bob together! (Credit: ITV)
Making mistakes with Bob Hope
We’d have expected it from serial cheat Bob, but everyone was surprised when Laurel succumbed to his charms back in 2018, when he was with Brenda. Laurel was still grieving the loss of Ashley, and turned to his best friend for comfort – blowing apart his family and hurting her own in the process.
Bob and Laurel never really had any proper chemistry. They quickly realised their romance was a mistake, though too late to spare any hurt or save Bob’s marriage, and it was no surprise when they split.
Jai and Laurel were married for a year (Credit: ITV)
Marriage to Jai Sharma
They were quite sweet at first, were Jai and Laurel. Two former addicts, both single parents, both with (a lot!) of baggage. They muddled through tough times including terminating Laurel’s unplanned pregnancy, and seemed to be making a success of their blended family.
But then Jai’s lies, schemes and deceptions caught up with him. Of course, Laurel had already forgiven him for his financial fibs but lying about what happened to Amit, and scamming cousin Suni out of his share in the Hide was a step too far. Enough was enough – Laurel called it quits and Jai is FUMING.
Laurel and Charles ended up kissing (Credit: ITV)
Laurel and Charles Anderson in Emmerdale
She may have a thing for vicars but we’re pretty sure Charles is not the one for Laurel. We can’t see Laurel and Charles making a go of things. After all, he’s fickle, opinionated, and the only woman he really pays attention to is his mum, Claudette.
We’re very much hoping their afternoon delight was just a rebound thing and not the beginning of yet another doomed romance for Laurel!
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
In tonight’s episode of Emmerdale (Monday, September 23), Gail and Ryan discussed getting a place of their own.
Gail then mentioned that Marlon’s place was out of the question…
That’s because Gail reckoned that the place was haunted by the ghost of someone called Noreen.
Noreen used to live in the village (Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (805485kv))
Emmerdale: Gail’s fear of Noreen
Currently on Emmerdale, Ryan and Gail have been discussing taking the next step in their relationship.
Gail wanted to look for a place of her own but, after her pet rat died the other day, Ryan suggested that she moved in with him.
Gail wasn’t so sure at first but Ryan managed to convince her.
This evening, Ryan suggested that they both moved into the pub. This was because Gail was scared to move into Marlon’s place as she feared the ghost of someone called Noreen who used to live in the house before Marlon bought the place…
Noreen lived in the village in 2006 (Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (805485kx))
Who was Noreen Bell?
The reference to Noreen Bell was definitely a name dragged out of the Emmerdale history books.
Noreen Bell lived in the village in Tall Trees Cottage… She appeared on screens between 2005-2006 before meeting a horrific end.
Noreen was a pensioner who befriended Val Lambert when Val was doing community service.
Noreen’s time in the village was really short-lived though as she fell victim to a tragic event.
The pensioner sadly ended up dying in 2006 when the Kings’ river development exploded.
She left Val all of her money in her will. She also left her thimble collection to her cousin.
When did Marlon buy Noreen’s house?
Donna Windsor and Marlon married and bought Noreen’s house after her death in 2007.
The pair wanted to raise a family there together but ended up divorcing in 2009, crushing these hopes and dreams.
Marlon resided at Tall Trees for some time but ended up moving properties later on.
Marlon then moved out and in 2021 and moved into Smithy Cottage instead. He now lives there with wife Rhona and children Leo, April and Ivy.
Marlon currently rent Tall Trees out to Ryan Stocks though, still actually owning the property he spent years living in. Ryan really wanted Gail to move in there with him but, Gail doesn’t want to move in there due to fearing Noreen’s ghost. Spooky…
Marlon never seemed to have a problem with Noreen’s ghost but it’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the supernatural. We totally get why Gail isn’t taking any chances with this one though!
Emmerdale chef Marlon Dingle could well be in the running for the most-married man in the Dales, if it wasn’t for a certain Bob Hope!
So how many times has he been married? In fact, he’s got five weddings behind him.
Currently in Classic Emmerdale episodes he is in full-wedding planning mode to Donna Windsor – but having dreams about late wife Tricia, which doesn’t bode too well if you ask us!
Meanwhile, in current Emmerdale he is happily (for the most-part) married to Rhona Goskirk.
But who was the real love of his life?
He often looks worried, but is the stalwart of the Dales (Credit: ITV)
Who is Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale?
Fan fave Marlon’s been in the village for so long now we can barely remember a time when Emmerdale existed without him!
He arrived with dad Albert – Zak Dingle’s brother – in a red sports car. Marlon started working in various jobs, even working with Frank Tate for a while.
But it was when he got a job working with Kathy Glover at her wine bar and tea room he found his calling as a chef.
Although he’s a moral, upstanding guy now, he is a Dingle, meaning back in the day he got into his fair share of scrapes and committed some petty crimes. He was even cast out of the Dingle clan at one point after he got Sam beaten up.
Marlon Dingle and his five wives in Emmerdale
Tricia and Marlon were love’s young dream once upon a time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
1. Tricia Stokes
Marlon was ousted from the tea rooms when Kathy hired chef Carlos Diaz. But by then he was working at the Woolpack and was on his way to meeting first wife, Tricia Stokes.
Marlon and Tricia were clearly made for each other. She was cheeky, kind-hearted and funny. But it wasn’t all plain sailing (when is it ever in Soapland?!) when Tricia agreed to marry Joe Fisher so he could stay in the country with his boyfriend Jason Kirk. the fake marriage caused her and Marlon to split, during which time Marlon dated one Rhona Goskirk. But before long he and Tricia were back together.
This time they made it – even surviving Tricia’s mother, Steph Stokes coming on to her future son-in-law. Tricia and Marlon wed in a surprise ceremony on Valentine’s Day and for a while they were happy.
But when Tricia went off to star in a Bollywood film, Marlon made a very bad move, having a one-night stand with cousin Charity Dingle. Tricia found out and was heartbroken.
She planned to leave the village on New Year’s Eve 2004, but Marlon wrote her a sweet list of all the things he loved about her and she changed her mind.
Just as she was coming back into the pub to tell her husband the good news, though, tragedy struck. In a huge storm, the Woolpack chimney collapsed and Tricia was killed. Marlon had to make the decision to turn off her life-support machine and was left completely heartbroken. Has he ever really got over Tricia? We’re not so sure.
It wasn’t happy ever after for Marlon with Donna (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
2. Donna Windsor
Still grieving Tricia, Marlon grew close to Donna Windsor. Things turned from friendship to love and they started dating. But because Donna was much younger, they took things slowly. Donna’s desire to join the police also didn’t sit well with the Dingle family – for obvious reasons!
When the pair got engaged, both started having doubts about their future. She was caught trying on Tricia’s old wedding dress, which caused Marlon to flip. He then confessed he had been having dreams about Tricia. Donna was seriously concerned they were making a mistake.
But the pair tied the knot and despite some hard times as a couple including caring for Marlon’s cousin Lilith’s children and even hoping to adopt them, and the arrival of Marlon’s dodgy brother, Eli, they remained strong.
Things took a turn however when Donna couldn’t resist her partner PC Ross Kirk – Paddy’s cousin. They had an affair and Marlon and Donna split. They did consider a reunion, but Marlon couldn’t resist drunkenly snogging another cousin – Chas – and he and Donna called it quits for good.
Donna left the village, but returned in 2014 with her daughter, April. Donna was dying of terminal cancer and had brought April home to meet her dad – Marlon. Shocked Marlon soon found himself a full-time dad to April.
Marlon and Laurel look grim in their wedding snap (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
3. Laurel Thomas
Marlon and Laurel had what was deemed an emotional affair when she was married to Ashley Thomas. Given her faith and Ashley’s status as the local vicar, Laurel would not cheat however, and fought her feelings for Marlon despite how much she wanted to be with him.
Marlon and Laurel got married but Laurel’s struggles with alcoholism, just as Marlon was getting to know little April, proved too much for the couple and they split.
Jessie and Marlon surrounded by their friends and family as their surprise wedding (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
4. Jessie Grant
Marlon had a relationship with Carly Hope – Donna’s stepsister – for a while, but Carly left the village with her handsome ex-boyfriend Matt.
Marlon wasn’t single for long when he met son Leo’s headteacher, Jessie Grant. Jessie was still on the rebound from her last relationship, but after a while she and Marlon got together and even married in a surprise Christmas ceremony.
But Jessie’s sons Ellis and Billy, and her ex Al Chapman then turning up, all caused friction. Marlon and Jessie’s marriage just wasn’t strong enough and Jessie left for a new job in Dubai.
Rhona waited at the altar for Marlon, who had been learning to walk again (Credit: ITV)
5. Rhona – first, second and third time!
After their 2001 dalliance, Rhona and Marlon got back together when she returned for good in 2010. However Rhona soon fell for Marlon’s best friend Paddy.
It caused trouble, especially as Rhona was pregnant with Marlon’s baby. But the three of them eventually found a way to co-parent Leo happily.
Paddy cheated on Rhona and they split. She then married evil Pierce Harris and we all know how that ended. She went on to have relationships with Pete Barton and Graham Foster.
But eventually in 2021 she and Marlon rekindled their romance. They were hit by many a hurdle, but seemed to remain strong.Â
Their biggest test came in 2022 when Marlon suffered a stroke. He and Rhona had just proposed to each other when he collapsed at home. The road to recovery was long and tough for the couple, but Rhona stayed by his side throughout and they eventually married in August 2022.
They were again tested when Rhona found out her ex, Gus, had used her frozen embryos to have a baby with his new wife, Lucy. When Lucy died in childbirth, Rhona felt she was the right person to look after the daughter she deemed hers.
A fight with Gus over baby Ivy left her relationship with Marlon in tatters. Thankfully, they came through it and are now focused on their future as a family of five.
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)