Mark Charnock calls on Marlon’s mother to join Emmerdale | soaps


Marlon in Emmerdale
We know a lot about Marlon, but we haven’t met his mother! (Photo: ITV)

As excitement mounts towards Emmerdale’s 50th birthday in October, one of the stars has pondered what the future might hold for his character.

Mark Charnock has played Marlon Dingle since 1996 and has been busy with it. Marlon’s upcoming marriage to Rhona (Zoe Henry) will be his fifth marriage, he is the father of two children and he is currently recovering from a life-changing stroke.

But there’s one family member that Mark would love to see introduced to the show, and that’s Marlon’s mom.

“We never really met Marlon’s mother,” Mark told us. ‘We don’t know anything about his mother at all. We know who his father was, Albert Dingle played by Bobby Knutt. He wasn’t the tallest person, and I think it would be nice to bring in my mother as this towering woman.”

Overall, Mark says he’s just lucky to be on the show at all and not speculate too much about what future storylines might hold. “I think if you start doubting what they could do or wishing what they could do, you’re going to be frustrated or disappointed,” he says. “It’s nice to be in your own stories, but it’s also nice to be in the stories of others, so in that respect it never gets boring, you’re always involved in something. I think the brilliant thing about it is that everything is a surprise. All stories are a surprise.’

Even long-running soap actors can’t take their position for granted, and Mark says he’s learned to “never think beyond the contract.”

“You have to keep doing your best and never take it for granted,” he continues. “It’s been a wonderful track and being a part of its history feels very special, especially in the run up to this year.

Because I remember the 40th like it was yesterday. That decade has gone by like lightning, which I suppose testifies to the fact that it has never been dull and that it is a pleasure to work here. I am very proud to be a part of it. I watched it with my grandma and grandma when I was a little boy, afternoons in the 70’s. To be a part of that feels wonderful to me.’