Emmerdale to make history with its first ever all-male episode

Julia Hunt
FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO Print media - No Use Before Tuesday 10th January 2023 Online Media - No Use Before 0700hrs Tuesday 10th January 2023 Emmerdale - Ep 9579.80 Thursday 19th January 2023 Paddy Kirk [DOMINIC BRUNT] feels totally isolated from his once-extended family as he sits listening to them having fun. Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
The all-male episode comes amid actor Dominic Brunt's mental health storyline. (ITV)

Emmerdale is set to make history with its first ever all-male episode as part of its suicide storyline.

The special instalment of the ITV soap will see the men getting together to talk about their feelings after it emerges that Paddy (Dominic Brunt) was attempting to take his own life.

Paddy’s pal Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) wants to do everything he can to help after finding out about his friend’s mental health difficulties.

Read more: Emmerdale fans praise Dominic Brunt for handling of mental health storyline

So he organises a late night lock-in at the Woolpack to get the men talking.

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Charnock said: “Despite Paddy being home and safe back in the heart of the village Marlon is finding it hard to get through to him and is worried Paddy will never find the courage to open up and talk. When Chas and Jimmy both unwittingly give Marlon this idea it’s not long before Marlon is acting on their information and setting up this lock-in.

"He just hopes it will help.”

Emmerdale has worked with Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club on the mental health storyline, which has seen Paddy sinking into a deep depression since the breakdown of his marriage to Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and their grief over losing daughter Grace.

Producer Laura Shaw said: “When we embarked on this heartbreaking storyline about Paddy's depression and attempted suicide we knew we wanted to shine a light on how important it is to just talk.

FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO Print media - No Use Before Tuesday 12th July 2022 Online Media - No Use Before 0700hrs Tuesday 12th July 2022 Emmerdale - Ep 9419 Wednesday 20th July 2022 Rhona Goskirk [ZOE HENRY] is hesitant when Vanessa suggests a party to celebrate her and Marlon DingleÕs [MARK CHARNOCK] engagement. And later MarlonÕs doubtful when Rhona broaches it. Marlon relents but remains nervous about returning to the Woolpack for the first time since his stroke. Picture contact - David.crook@itv.com This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Marlon Dingle wants to do his bit to help. (ITV)

“Inspired by listening to real stories from the charity Andy's Man Club, we decided to have some of the men in our village come together for a very special episode which purely focuses on them and seeing them talking about whatever they are feeling or thinking.”

Read more: Emmerdale teases 'deceit in the Dales' with blackmail and secrets

“If watching some of our most loved characters opening up to each other encourages just one person to reach out and start talking, we will be extremely thankful,” she added.

The special episode will be on 10 March.

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.

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