Emmerdale's Paddy Kirk: 27 Years and Counting!
Dominic Brunt, the man behind the iconic character of Paddy Kirk in ITV's 'Emmerdale', still marvels at his incredible 27-year stint on the soap.
The 54-year-old actor, who joined the Dales in 1997, recently admitted that he can't believe how his life would have unfolded if he hadn't taken the role. "It's incredible, really," Brunt told the Metro newspaper's Sixty Seconds column. "Me and Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle, talk about that constantly. I was a welder, 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'."
Even after all these years, Brunt still experiences those "pinch-me" moments. "I never go upstairs and ask what the storylines are, because I like getting the scripts," he revealed. "It never passes me by how lucky I am and what a privilege it is to be in this job."
This week, Brunt's character, Paddy, is set to tie the knot for a second time with his former flame, Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley. Speaking about working with his on-screen ex, Brunt enthused: "Lisa has been a really good and strong friend for years and it's lovely to be working with her again. She's absolutely crackers â she drives me insane but in the best possible way! Never a boring day."
Despite his unwavering dedication to 'Emmerdale', Brunt also keeps himself creatively stimulated outside the soap. He and his wife, Joanne Mitchell, team up to produce horror films, providing him with a valuable outlet. "That keeps everything fresh," he explained.
Brunt expressed his immense gratitude to the 'Emmerdale' team, acknowledging the incredible storylines they have produced over the years. "I've been thrilled to bits with the episodes they've made," he said. "The fact I'm still here 27 years later is ridiculous and I owe them everything."
The actor, who clearly has no plans to leave the Dales anytime soon, concluded with a wry smile: "It beats welding â and I loved welding. As long as it lasts, I'll be there and I'll be grateful for it."
