Paddy Kirk is set to hit his lowest point in Emmerdale this week, as he considers taking his own life, though actor Dominic Brunt has promised ‘pinches of light’ in the aftermath of his harrowing story.
Viewers of the ITV soap will have seen Paddy disappear from the village in recent episodes, leaving his family concerned for his welfare.
He has since returned to say his veiled goodbyes, as he contemplates suicide.
As the story progresses, viewers will see Paddy slowly piece his life back together with support from family, friends and other organisations.
‘Thankfully the story isn’t dropped.’ Actor Dominic Brunt said. ‘There’ll be hints, hopefully forever, that he’s capable of [having suicidal thoughts].
‘But there’s also a lot of light as well. I think what Emmerdale do brilliantly time and time again is it’s not a misery-fest, it’s not this dark story that’s awful to watch.
‘It’s really, really well coloured in with the pace and even two blocks later there’s little pinches of light and he’s found his humour again – but at the same time he has to watch himself.’
Emmerdale sought input and support from Samaritans and Andy’s Man Club for their portrayal of this storyline, both of which are charities that provide support for people who are struggling with their mental health.
It was really important to Neil Waine, a representative from Andy’s Man Club, that the outcome to Paddy’s story was a positive one, he revealed.
‘With this storyline, it had to go the right way,’ he explained. ‘This couldn’t end with Paddy taking his own life, this had to be a positive story about the benefits of talking.’
Andy’s Man Club holds meetings all over the country for men to come and have a chat, with the aim of encouraging them to open up about their mental health.
‘[The story] needs to carry on, because things like this aren’t cured overnight. We’re not out there giving cures. People like Andy’s Man Club, we’re there to give guys hope, we’re not there to fix people. We give them hope that there is something else. That there is a better option. And I think seeing Paddy toddle off to a meeting every week on a Monday night, leaving the village to go somewhere else for a meeting etc. is a massive part of it, and shows that it is more of a journey than a one-night fix.’
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