The Emmerdale storyline following Paddy Kirk's depression may never have happened, according to the ITV soap's producer. During scenes aired on Tuesday night (February 28), viewers saw the vet finally return home after fleeing a few weeks ago following a reunion with ex-wife Mandy Dingle.
The Dingle clan attempted to find Paddy, rocking up at the B&B they located him at in Skipdale. However, after getting the help of another guest, Paddy managed to avoid seeing them and was last seen getting on a bus.
But during the latest trip to the Dales, Emmerdale fans saw a dishevelled Paddy standing in the doorway of The Woolpack with a holdall, much to the surprise of his loved ones. It didn't take Marlon long to make a beeline for him but estranged wife Chas was left irritated by Paddy's behaviour.
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Then, when Bear entered with Paddy's daughter Eve, it’s an emotional reunion for all and Chas softens when she realises the hurt and sadness in Paddy’s eyes. Paddy tried to play up his happiness to get Marlon off his back but when Marlon left, Paddy’s facade crumbled as he was left utterly bereft and broken.
And in scenes to air later this week, Emmerdale fans will see Paddy consider taking his own life. Feeling alone and struggling to find his place in people’s lives, Paddy will begin having suicidal thoughts, leaving his dad, Bear, a letter.
Later with Paddy having gone, Bear makes the horrifying discovery of the letter. Marlon is distressed as everyone scrambles to go and find Paddy and when Rhona delivers the appalling news about the missing bolt gun from the vet surgery, the reality of what he is doing is all too worrying as they hope they can find him in time.
The ITV programme has worked closely with emotional support charity Samaritans and men’s suicide prevention scheme Andy’s Man Club since August to ensure the scenes accurately "shine a light on male mental health," producer Laura Shaw said.
Speaking about collaborating with the charities and doing his own research into the subject, Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy, told the Manchester Evening News and other press: "Not only has it been inspirational, but it’s been pitch black dark and it’s made me appreciate what I have. I feel I have mental fortitude and my life kind of sails along here.
"Speaking to people where life has hit them so hard from left field, nobody has asked for this, it has been really shocking. Everyone that has come through the other side of it has always said: ‘I’m glad I spoke to someone, talking saved me’ … It’s been incredible really. I felt a huge sense of responsibility on my shoulders to try and get it right so I’ve done my best, but I felt very looked after and very involved and it made me trust the whole process."
But Laura also shared that if Dominic hadn't been comfortable doing the storyline, or felt it was appropriate, they wouldn't have gone ahead. Speaking about planning the storyline, she told us: "The idea [for the storyline] has been floating for a few years. We knew at Emmerdale we really wanted to shine a light on men's mental health and how middle-aged men are more likely to die by suicide than any other age group.
"But sometimes with stories like this one, and was the case with this one, you have a brilliant idea or a story you want to play and it can be years until you play it, if at all, as it's all about the character's and they've got to be in the right place and the right time and it's got to be character-lead.
"So we had this idea a few years ago and following the death of his daughter Grace and the breakdown of his marriage then having spoke to Andy's Man Club and the Samaritans and having looked at all the case studies, it felt like now was the right time we could play this story with Paddy."
She added: "As I said, we wanted to play this story about men's mental health and y ou can't just slot a story onto a character so I think it was around August/September last year that I first spoke to Dom to sound him out. At that point, if he said he didn't feel comfortable with playing the storyline, we absolutely wouldn't. We'd have never played it with anyone else.
"I think with a story of this nature, you want to give the actors as much notice as possible and make sure they're happy with playing such a serious and important storyline. So as soon as we'd nailed down a rough arc and before we'd got anything officially written down, I spoke to Dom about the idea and he was immediately receptive and eager to find out more himself about the whole subject matter. He wanted to chat to the Samaritans and Andy's Man Club and find out as much information as he could."
Other members of the cast and crew were also given the choice as to whether they wanted to work on the storyline. "I think with any serious or triggering subject matter we'd always pre-warn anyone working on it of what we're doing and why and to talk to us if there was anything worrying them," Laura said.
"This subject matter can be, and it has been, uncomfortable at times. We need to make sure everyone's ok with that and anybody who isn't absolutely doesn't need to work on it."
Anyone who needs support can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website.
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