Emmerdale fans have been left confused as they spotted a change amid Paddy Kirk's disappearance. The beloved ITV soap character, played by Dominic Brunt, has fled the village following a reunion with his former wife, Mandy Dingle.
However, Paddy's decision to suddenly leave his family comes as viewers have watched the vet suffering since the breakdown of his marriage when he discovered his wife Chas had been cheating with the now-late Al Chapman. In episodes aired before Christmas, viewers saw Paddy finally discover the truth following Al's death, who at the time the Dingle clan thought had just been shot dead by Chas' brother Cain when it was in fact his 10-year-old son, Kyle.
They later saw Paddy taking Chas on a surprise trip away only to arrive at the home Al had bought for them in order to run away together with Chas and Paddy's daughter, Eve. But Paddy has since been struggling with Chas' infidelity while still living with her at The Woolpack as they attempt to amicably co-parent their little girl.
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But next month, viewers 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 and as he contends with these, the audience will see the true extent of Paddy’s deep depression.
Before those heartbreaking scenes air, Emmerdale fans have watched Paddy flee the village with Chas, Mandy and his dad Bear desperate to find him. During scenes aired in the soap on Monday night (February 13), Paddy's family were seen being told by the police that they were scaling down their search for him after he was spotted drawing out money at a cash point in Skipdale.
PC Swirling arrived at the pub where he revealed there had been a sighting of Paddy and showed the family the CCTV. After confirming it was Paddy in the video, the police officer revealed that they wouldn't continue searching for Paddy, suggesting he isn't in any danger.
But the CCTV footage appears to have thrown Emmerdale viewers who were quick to comment on Paddy's appearance. Michelle Law wrote on Facebook: "I’m pretty sure he wasn’t wearing those clothes when he walked away?" Dorothy Goodman replied: "My first thinking was where did he get the cap, could of brought l suppose."
Lyndsey Jayne Fitzpatrick posted: "He wasn’t wearing a hat when he left!!" Julie Finney typed: "When he left he was in a shirt and green trousers and a farmers type body warmer, which my son also owns, hes now in different clothes with a cap so he must have his card." Marilyn Hooper added: "He wasn't wearing those clothes when he left and definitely not his Hat."
It has already been confirmed that Paddy will soon be found staying locally in a guest house, but it will be clear he is struggling with his mental health and not planning on reconnecting with his loved ones for some time. In March, Paddy will return to his village, when completely unbeknownst to his close friends he will say some veiled goodbyes before leaving again with the aim of ending his own life.
To bring this story to the screen, Emmerdale programme researchers and writers have taken advice and worked closely with both Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club in order to tell Paddy’s story as authentically as possible.
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