Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has shared how he has a "strict" advisor on set in order to make sure he is accurately portraying his on-screen character Marlon Dingle. The chef has left viewers of the ITV soap in tears in recent months after his suffered a shock stroke earlier this year.
Marlon had just proposed so girlfriend Rhona Goskirk - just as she planned to also propose to him - in sweet scenes between the pair. But Marlon's joy soon turned to terror as he collapsed at home while going to collect Rhona's forgotten engagement ring before being found by his daughter unable to move or speak.
Fans have since watched the much-loved character's journey unfold as he faced a long recovery while also facing the emotional toll the health scare had on not only him but his family and friends. But next week, Emmerdale viewers will finally see Marlon and Rhona wed.
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There won't be a dry eye in sight as Marlon makes it to his nuptials on time following a hospital dash. During an import stag do at him, he 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.
However, there's more drama at the hospital as Marlon's told he can't leave due to his high blood pressure. In typical Paddy style, the vet tries to calm his best friend down. Meanwhile, back in the village, Rhona is none the wiser and sticks to her promise in getting to the church on time.
Inside, Chas is just about to tell Rhona the truth when Priya steps outside to make one llast-ditchattempt to contact Paddy. As she turned around, she sees Paddy whizzing a determined Marlon in his pimped-up wedding wheelchair towards her; both dressed in their wedding suits. Inside the church, Rhona concludes that something is wrong with Marlon just and just as Chas is about to tell her the truth, Paddy bursts through the door and wheels Marlon in.
But there was a moment when Mark thought he may have been in an accident himself with Paddy in charge of wheeling Marlon - very quickly - to the church. "For all eight takes," the 53-year-old Bolton actor said when asked if there was a moment during filming that he thought Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy, may have let go of the chair during a special press event at the Emmerdale village.
"Eight takes!?" Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona, said in surprise to which Mark replied: "I think it was eight times because there was lots of different shots to do but on everyone of the takes he had to wheel [me] round. When I came in here [the church], it nearly went over. It tilted and he brought me back." But Mark said when they cut for that take, Dominic told his on-screen bestie that he was "always in control", however, he did admit it was "pretty hairy" to film.
Despite the moments of laughter, there was a serious element to proceedings and that was making sure Mark was portraying Marlon and the stage he is at in his recovery accurately. Zoe explained how he's had an advisor for helping direct him in the physical side of acting as a stroke survivor.
Mark said it has been "really helpful" before adding; "She's quite strict as well. It's great... especially with the walk down the aisle. She was like, 'No! Do it again. No, no!' And it was brilliant. She has worked with people who have had strokes all day every day and it was great because once we got in here [the church] and we did it, I went, 'Was it alright?' and she said it was 'bang on', you felt like you had won the lottery."
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