For 27 years, Dominic Brunt has brought the beloved character of Paddy Kirk to life on Emmerdale, captivating audiences with his blend of humour and heart. In a candid conversation with Metro.co.uk, Brunt discusses the enduring appeal of Paddy, his on-screen wedding to Mandy Dingle, and the unique experience of working alongside his actress wife, Joanne Mitchell.
Brunt reveals that even after nearly three decades, playing Paddy still brings him a sense of awe and nervousness. "I came from an engineering background, so I don't know what the alternative was if I hadn't thought, 'I'll give it a go for a few years and see what happens,'" he shares. "It's just been brilliant and we still absolutely love the job. I was 27 when I joined. I've been doing it for half my life now!"
He credits the enduring popularity of Paddy to his complex character: "It's light and shade," he explains. "I can't really take the shade â the meaner side of it is a bit much to handle, really." He confesses to steering clear of social media negativity, preferring to focus on the positive aspects of playing such a beloved character.
As Paddy prepares to tie the knot with Mandy Dingle, a character he shares a long and complicated history with, Brunt acknowledges the serendipitous timing of the event. "We didn't realise until somebody came and told us â I think if they'd engineered it that way it would have been mentioned in the script," he reveals. "So I think it just fell like that and someone went, 'Do you know what, it's 25 years sinceâ¦' But we don't actually mention it."
Brunt describes his on-screen partner, Lisa Riley, as "absolutely crackers" and a "good, strong friend" he has been close to for years. He credits the strong sense of family on the Emmerdale set for the show's success, highlighting the collaborative nature of the cast and their commitment to delivering the best possible performances.
Beyond Emmerdale, Brunt and Mitchell have forged a successful career in the horror genre, producing several films together. Brunt expresses his gratitude for this joint venture, acknowledging that it allows them to work together and maintain a strong bond outside of their busy schedules.
He describes their horror films as "low-budget" but "fun", with "Broken Bird", their latest project, boasting a larger budget and starring renowned actor James Fleet.
Looking back on his time on Emmerdale, Brunt highlights several storylines that have resonated with him, including Paddy's involvement in Aaron's coming-out storyline, the loss of their baby Grace, and Paddy's struggle with depression. He acknowledges the responsibility that comes with portraying such sensitive topics, particularly knowing their impact on real-life viewers.
As for the future, Brunt expresses a strong desire to remain a part of the Emmerdale family for as long as they'll have him. He values the camaraderie and the opportunities the show provides, and he remains committed to delivering his best performance, even after 27 years.
While acknowledging that the acting industry can be challenging, Brunt is grateful for the opportunity to play a character that has brought him both joy and recognition. He concludes by stating, "I think if I went, if they wrote me out, I'd have nothing but gratitude towards what I was given. They made episodes I was thrilled to bits with so the fact that I'm still here 27 years later is ridiculous and I owe them everything, so much."
