Emmerdale to make history with soap first following Paddy Kirk mental health storyline

dailystar.co.uk:

Emmerdale are set to make history this week, as they air a soap first to highlight the importance of men talking to each other about their mental health.An episode of the ITV soap, due to be broadcast on March 10, 2023, will see Marlon Dingle set up a late-night lock in at The Woolpack Pub with the aim of getting men talking to each other - and will feature a male only cast for the first time in the soap's 50 year history.The pub gathering follows Marlon's discovery that his best friend Paddy Kirk had attempted to commit suicide, with Marlon aiming to do whatever he can to help Paddy, as he continues to struggle with his mental health.READ MORE: Paddy Kirk's story to take a heartbreaking turn in Emmerdale after marriage breakdownViewers recently saw Paddy continue to struggle with the breakdown of his marriage, constant reminders of Chas' infidelity and their shared grief over the death of their daughter Grace, which has all taken a toll on Paddy's mental health.Feeling alone and struggling to find his place in people's lives, Paddy considered taking his own life, where the audience saw the true extent of his deep depression.Marlon actor Mark Charnock explained that Marlon wants to help Paddy and other characters in the village to open up and talk, saying: "Despite Paddy being home and safe back in the heart of the village Marlon is finding it hard to get through to him and is worried Paddy will never find the courage to open up and talk. "When Chas and Jimmy both unwittingly give Marlon this idea it’s not long before Marlon is acting on their information and setting up this lock-in.