The actor that plays Emmerdale's 'Paddy Kirk' had to take a set back from the soap to ensure he wasn't affected by his latest harrowing storyline. Dominic Brunt took some time to shake off the role, according to the Liverpool Echo, as his own mental well-being took a knock in the past few weeks.
In an upcoming plotline, viewers will see his character, Paddy, attempt to take his own life. He did disappear from the village but will make a return to say a subtle goodbye to friends and family before leaving a suicide note.
The actor was told the storyline months in advance by producers but revealed that the script still took its toll. 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.
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"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 felt a great responsibility to get the part right and researched the role in depth 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 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 stated that he could understand why Paddy spiralled paying homage to the adage that many men "suffer in silence." He decided to take some time away to make sure his own mental health was in check.
"I couldn't let myself even open a little door to the Black dogs that these people experience," Dominic said. "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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