It's been a rocky year so far for Marlon Dingle and Rhona Goskirk but they're heading for a particularly bright spot as they finally say 'I Do'. Emmerdale fans will see the couple exchange vows in scenes to air next week - and it's set to be emotional.
The week starts with an impromptu stag do for Marlon. But things take tries to get to his feet but his legs suddenly buckle and he falls to the ground. Paddy suggests that Marlon get checked out at the hospital and Marlon agrees - just as long as there’s no ambulance and Rhona is left out of the loop.
Later at the hospital, an utterly devastated Marlon is knocked for six when the doctor informs him that he’ll have to stay overnight, due to the results indicating extremely high blood pressure. Soon, the morning of the wedding arrives and Marlon's utterly bewildered when the doctor tells him that his blood pressure readings are still too high for him to be discharged. As Paddy tries to keep Marlon calm, they both become equally stressed out, getting them nowhere fast.
Meanwhile, completely none the wiser, an ecstatic Rhona is still in the dark and is keen to make sure she sticks to her promise to her husband-to-be and arrive at the church on time. Knowing what's going on, Chas Dingle informs Vanessa Woodfield and sets about trying to stall the bride.
But her attempts end up offending her friend before Vanessa enlists Mary's help. But their attempts to delay Rhona from attending the church are thwarted and when she arrives for her nuptials, Rhona can feel that something’s wrong. And just as Chas is about to tell her the truth, Marlon and Paddy come bursting through the church doors.
At the top of the aisle, a determined Marlon gets up out of his wheelchair and willed on by his nearest and dearest, makes it to his bride and everyone is emotional as they exchange vows and finally become husband and wife. The newlyweds then enjoy a wedding reception at The Woolpack - where else - alongside their nearest and dearest.
However, with their longed for wedding soon to be complete, what's next for Rhona and Marlon? Well, the actors who play the couple aren't complacent. During a recent press day at the Emmerdale village ahead of the nuptials and the 50th anniversary celebrations in October, Zoe Henry and Mark Charnock were asked if they would like to be part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations in a decade.
"There is no room for complacency in this industry or any job actually nowadays," Zoe told the Manchester Evening News and other press. But I don't think anyone feels like they are here for the long haul and we work very much on a year-to-year contract basis."
Mark, who has spent 26 years playing the soap's much-loved chef, added: "Assume the worst is the best way of going forward and that keeps you on your toes as you always have to keep trying your best. And never take it for granted because it's been a wonderful job. I remember the 40th anniversary like it was yesterday, that decade has gone like lightning."
Speaking about their characters as a couple, Mark, 53, said: "They have this long chart of history, they have already been through so many hard times, they sort of have this rich soil this family can grow out of. They have been through things which can end friendships, let alone relationships. The fact they are both still there bodes really well."
But it is soap land after all, and Zoe knows that all to well as she commented: "I love this question, because you can wax lyrical and go, 'Yeah, I think they’re soulmates,' but in two years' time one of us will be dead or with someone else. I don’t say that lightly, I just mean that what you have to play is the moment, right?
"In that episode and in the scripts we’ve worked on over the last few months, in my head, I’m going, 'This is the right time and they’re soulmates.' But who knows?"
Despite knowing things could change, it hasn't stopped them thinking about what else could happen for the couple in the Dales. And following Mary Goskirk's arrival in the village, Rhona's mum played by Louise Jameson, Mark has been thinking about his own on-screen family.
He said: "Years ago I was hoping... we've never really met Marlon's mum. She's talked about in the sense that I once said, 'I swear on our mother's grave', but we don't really know about his mum. We know who his dad was - Albert Dingle played by Bobby Knutt - so I think it would be really funny to bring in Marlon's mum."
And Zoe already has casting in mind. "The person I really like the idea of is Frances De La Tour," the 48-year-old said referring to the star of TV series including Rising Damp as well as Harry Potter. "She'd be perfect," Zoe added. But do they know something we don't yet? "Everything is surprise. All the stories are a surprise," he said as he admitted to not knowing what's in store.
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