Paddy Kirk

Paddy Kirk
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by Dominic Brunt
Duration 1997–
First appearance 20 February 1997
Introduced by Mervyn Watson
Spin-off
appearances		 The Dingles in Venice (1999)
Paddy and Marlon's Big Night In (2011)
Classification Present; regular
Profile
Occupation Veterinary surgeon (1997–2012, 2013–)
Veterinary receptionist (2012–13)
Home Smithy Cottage

Patrick Frederick "Paddy" Kirk is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Dominic Brunt. Paddy demonstrates the dedication of the soap's writers towards maintaining a comedic tone in plotlines. While he has appeared at the centre of some grave storylines, Paddy is often a manifestation of the faintly ridiculous. His bumbling ways and perpetual ill luck act as an amusing antithesis to the sometimes traumatic incidents which befall those around him.

Storylines

1997-2008

Paddy arrives in Emmerdale to work as a locum for Zoe Tate (Leah Bracknell) at the vet surgery, initially on a temporary basis. He is drawn to Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) and they are smitten from first sight, but problems got in the way, including his mother Barbara (Judi Jones), who feels Mandy is tarty. Horrified, Barbara offers Mandy money to marry someone else, which she does and Mandy marries her cousin, Butch (Paul Loughran), leaving Paddy depressed.

After a failed date with Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) to the Vet's Ball in an attempt to take his mind off Mandy, Paddy proposes marriage to Mandy that night, and Mandy accepts. They marry the following year but over the next two years, Mandy is frequently absent looking after her father, Caleb and misses Paddy but begins an affair with her father's carer and their marriage breaks down.

A heartbroken Paddy beccomes close to widow Emily Dingle (Kate McGregor), who had, like Mandy, been previously married to Butch. They begin dating and get engaged and on the day they were due to attend his best mate Marlon (Mark Charnock) and Tricia Stokes' (Sheree Murphy) wedding, Tricia gets cold feet and Emily and Paddy step in to get married. Their marriage seems happy and they foster orphaned teenager Debbie Jones (Charley Webb) but over time the marriage loses its spark and while Emily tries to make things work, Paddy begins an affair with his wife's boss, Viv Windsor (Deena Payne). The affair is revealed when Viv jokes with Paddy over the phone that she has told Emily about their affair, and Paddy does not realise a joke, rushes home and confessed. When the affair becomes public knowledge, Paddy is punched both by Viv's estranged husband, Bob Hope (Antony Audenshaw) and Zak Dingle Steve Halliwell. Soon after, Emily leaves the village when Debbie gives her custody of her newborn daughter, Sarah.

Paddy begins internet dating and goes to Portugal after his Jo Stiles (Roxanne Pallett), played a practical joke by pretending to be his Internet lover Fireblade, he goes to Portugal for a rendezvous. However, once there, he realises he’d been tricked and returns with Toni Daggert (Kerry Stacey). A horrified Jo thinks Toni only wanted Paddy's money buts relieved when Paddy and Toni revealed they were paying her back. Paddy later develops Toni but she told him she didn't feel the same way about him, so he moved on. Paddy's next relationship is with Del Dingle (Hayley Tamaddon) which upsets Toni, who realises she is in with Paddy. Toni tries to split them up but it fails. However, Paddy admits he still loves Toni but the relationship breaks down when Toni learns Paddy does not want to marry her.

Paddy's cousin Ross Kirk (Samuel Anderson) arrives in the village. One morning. Ross is hungover and while driving to work with Paddy, accidentally hits Genesis Walker (Sian Reese-Williams), knocking off her moped. Genesis seemes fine at first, and Ross, afraid of losing his job, convinces Paddy to say that he was the one behind the wheel. Genesis, or Gennie as she called herself, soon collapseds and is intensive care. Ross refuses to own up and Paddy confesses the truth to Ross' police colleague Shane Doyle (Paul McEwan) what had really happened. After Shane convinces Paddy he will be jailed for perverting the course of justice, A furious Paddy remains silent but his After he learns about Ross' affair with Marlon's wife Donna (Verity Rushworth), Paddy throws Ross out.

2009-

Paddy begins a relationship with Chas Dingle but has to contend with her wayward teenage son, Aaron Livesy. The problems are not helped when Carl King (Tom Lister), Chas's ex reveals in a heated discussion about Chas, and Carl revealed whilst Paddy had gone away one night he and Chas had slept together – whilst Paddy was still dating her. At first Paddy refuses to believe Carl, thinking that he was just stirring things between them, knowing Carl still holds a torch for her. Paddy then realises this is true and evicts Chas and Aaron but lets Aaron move back in and they build up a father-son relationship and Paddy helps Aaron come to terms with his homosexuality.

Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) returns to the village of Emmerdale. She and Marlon reignite a past relationship, until Rhona expressed an interest in Paddy and split up with Marlon, and began a relationship with Paddy. Rhona learns she is expecting Marlon's baby, while she is still with Paddy. Marlon, upset at first, tells Rhona he did not want to be the part of the baby's life but has a change of heart once he learns that the baby may suffer from Down's Syndrome. All three parties repair their friendship and Rhona gives birth to a baby boy, Leo in 2011. After a failed proposal, Rhona accepts. Paddy then lands a job in New Zealand and Marlon decides to go too but changes his mind. The Goskirks and Marlon battle over Leo's welfare and Marlon and Paddy have a fist fight which culminates in Paddy being charged with assault after hitting a police officer. Following the suspension of his veterinary license, Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), arrives and immediately gets off on the wrong foot with Paddy. Vaness is also a qualified vet and she joins the surgery and later agrees to have a share in the surgery and when Paddy was able to return to his duties he, Rhona and Vanessa all had their names above the door.

Paddy and Rhona's marriage faces a major test after Rhona becomes addicted to the painkillers she is taking for a back injury. Paddy and Vanessa become worried as Rhona's mood swings are visible and matters get worse when Rhona begins buying pills from a dealer named Gary. When Paddy confronts Rhona about it, she lashes out at him physically.

Reception

Brunt was nominated in the category of "Best Actor" at the 2011 British Soap Awards.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (7 March 2011). "British Soap Awards 2011 voting opens". Digital Spy (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 2011-03-07.

External links