Emmerdale's Dominic Brunt had to shake off his role to ensure he wasn't affected by the depression storyline.
The actor, who plays Paddy Kirk, hit rock bottom over the last few weeks on the show with his mental well-being taking a serious knock. In an upcoming plotline, viewers will see Paddy attempt to take his own life.
He disappeared from the village but will make his return to give a subtle goodbye to his friends and family before leaving a suicide note. Dominic knew of the storyline months in advance from producers but revealed the impact of the script is still taking its toll.
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Speaking to multiple news organisations, he said: "The mechanics of how it was going to work and who was being involved and the scale of it, and it kind of transcends the normal storylines that were normally given.
"I think the only time I've had something like this before was when Aaron came out, and it mattered to people. I remember an uncle that was kind of that you know that generational kind of bigotry that's there and he watched it and went yeah, I understand that.'
"I was hoping that this story might do that that it might actually make a difference and normalize talking." The actor admitted he felt a great responsibility to get the part right, researching the role in length before filming.
He added: "Whether it's been through Andy's Man Club, or doing my own research and it's been incredible. And not only is it been inspirational, but it's been pitch black, dark, and it's made me appreciate what I have, which I feel I have.
"Mental fortitude and, and my life kind of sails along here, you know. Then I'll kind of look after myself if I'm busy, I'll cut out alcohol and caffeine and I'll walk the dogs and I'll make sure I get plenty of sleep.
"But speaking to people, where life has hit them so hard from left field, they're nobody's asked for this. It's been really shocking and as I said before everyone that's come through the other side of it has always said I'm glad I spoke to someone. I'm glad I talked. Talking saved me.'
'And yeah, it's been it's blown the top of my head off. It's really been incredible, really." Dominic had to step away from the project to ensure his own mental health was in check, admitting he understood why Paddy spiralled given so many men "suffer in silence."
He said: "I couldn't let myself even open a little door to the Black dogs that these people experience. The journey there and the curve was so clear that it was almost easy to do. However, the emotion that you had to visit had to be shaken off almost immediately.
"And I felt supported. But I've got an hour's drive home. I get the radio back on and make sure I get some sleep that night and I'm not suffering like that. I'm a stupid actor with the script in the hand.
"It didn't touch the sides for me and because I know what it's like for someone to really, really go through that. So yes, I felt fine. Sorry, that was a long way around answering that question. But yeah, I'm fine."
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