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An upcoming episode of Emmerdale will centre around just the male members of the cast as Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) does what he can to encourage Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) to open up and talk.
Joined by the likes of Liam (Jonny McPherson), Bob (Tony Audenshaw), Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Nate (Jurell Carter), Marlon will host a lock-in at the pub with one soul aim – to get people talking.
We know that men find it extremely hard to express their emotions, which was something Marlon reflected on during last night’s episode of the ITV soap that saw Paddy contemplate ending his life.
After being saved by his best friend, Paddy started to talk about the thoughts he’s been having a little, and Marlon hopes that by creating a safe environment where other people can do the same, it will help Paddy’s healing process.
This new video shows Marlon feeling proud as he tells Bear (Joshua Richards) that he’s had quite a few people turn up to the event already.
The good mood doesn’t last long, however, as Paddy enters and discovers what’s going on, telling Marlon and Bear that the last thing he wants is to sit round a table with his pals and talk about how he’s feeling.
But ultimately, it’s the talking that will help Paddy begin to move forward.
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Emmerdale worked closely with the Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club in order to tell this story as authentically as possible, and it was Andy’s Man Club that producer Laura Shaw cites as inspiration for the all-male episode.
Paddy isn’t keen on Marlon’s idea (Picture: ITV)
Andy’s Man Club are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online, with the aim of ending the stigma around men’s mental health through the power of conversation.
‘The all-male episode was inspired by Andy’s Man Club, really,’ Laura told Metro.co.uk.
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: [email protected] between the hours of 9am and midnight.
‘Hearing from them about how they all sit every Monday night for a couple of hours, have a cuppa and a biscuit, and just talk, and how much help that is giving people just really inspired us to do our own version of man club.
‘So, at this point in the story, Paddy isn’t really opening up to people, and in Marlon’s desperation to get his best friend to talk, he has a bit of a lock in at the Woolpack with a few of the other men in our village, with the aim to get the men all talking.
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Marlon hosts a lock-in at the pub with one intention – to talk.