‘Assume the worst’ Emmerdale’s Marlon Dingle star addresses future on ITV soap | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Mark Charnock has played Marlon Dingle on Emmerdale for the past 26 years, with the character’s hard-hitting stroke storyline being one of the key focuses on the ITV soap this year. Marlon’s wedding with wife number five Rhona Goskirk (played by Zoe Henry) will take centre stage in upcoming scenes. While Mark is set to be involved in the soap’s “sensational” 50th-anniversary storylines this autumn, he’s admitted he “assumes the worst” when contracts are being renewed. 

Speaking to Express.co.uk on the set of Emmerdale, the 53-year-old actor and Zoe were asked if they would like to be part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations in a decade. 

However, Zoe revealed: “There is no room for complacency in this industry or any job actually nowadays. 

“But I don’t think anyone feels like they are here for the long haul and we work very much on a year-to-year contract basis.”

The actress, who is married to Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordely, exclaimed how “nice it feels” to have been on the soap on and off since 2001. 

READ MORE: Shetland’s Douglas Henshall finally explains why he quit BBC series

When asked why Marlon and Rhona work well as a couple, Mark replied: “They have this long chart of history, they have already been through so many hard times, they sort of have this rich soil this family can grow out of. 

“They have been through things which can end friendships, let alone relationships. 

“The fact they are both still there bodes really well.” 

However, Zoe hinted their romance might not be everlasting, teasing: “I love this question, because you can wax lyrical and go, ‘Yeah, I think they’re soulmates,’ but in two years’ time one of us will be dead or with someone else.