Inside Paddy Kirk’s mental health battle as Emmerdale actor lined up for soap award | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Dominic Brunt is one of Emmerdale’s longest-serving cast members and the usually bubbly character is a firm favourite among ITV soap fans. 

It was difficult for Emmerdale viewers to see his character Paddy Kirk hit rock bottom earlier this year after he discovered his wife, Chas Dingle (played by Lucy Pargeter), had been having an affair with Al Chapman (Michael Wildman). 

The loveable veterinarian’s personality changed overnight, and he soon sunk into a deep depression he thought there was no way out of. 

Life continued to get darker for Paddy and the character was at the centre of a suicide attempt storyline which bosses hoped would raise awareness about mental health. 

Thankfully, Paddy’s best friend Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) found the soap stalwart in time and talked him into returning to the village to get the help he so desperately needed. 

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Paddy actor Dominic is up for the Best Storyline gong at this weekend’s British Soap Awards which is being hosted by Jane McDonald.

The 53-year-old is up against Coronation Street’s stalking storyline with Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) and Lola Pearce’s (Danielle Harold) death following a brain tumour in EastEnders. 

Dominic’s also up for the Scene of the Year award for Paddy’s suicide attempt which happened on the soap in March. 

Dominic and Marlon actor Mark have also been nominated for the Best On-Screen Partnership award as Marlon has been supporting Paddy during his recovery. 

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Speaking to Express.co.uk earlier this year about Paddy’s suicide attempt, Dominic said he felt men seem to “suffer in secret” when going through mental health struggles.

“[Paddy’s] opened the door to [suicide] now, he’s capable of having those thoughts of attempting to take his own life, and he’s going to have to watch that for the rest of his life.”

Dominic continued: “I was hoping this story might make a difference and normalise talking.

“No matter what you are going through, whether it’s a mental bump or a terrible lifestyle choice, the one thing which will help you, whether it ends with medication or not, is talking.”

The sensitive storyline left Emmerdale viewers in tears, with everyone hoping Paddy would start feeling better about life.