Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale: The loveable vet’s troubled love life and mental health battle

Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale is one of the soap’s best loved and iconic characters. His friendship with Marlon Dingle, rollercoaster love life, comedy moments and hard-hitting emotional storylines have made Paddy an Emmerdale legend.

Now he’s busy planning his second wedding to ex-wife and rekindled old flame, Mandy Dingle.

Who is Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale?

Paddy’s the son of Barbara, and Bear Wolf – a former wrestler who only reconnected with his son in recent years.

He has one daughter – Eve – with ex-wife Chas Dingle. Their first baby girl, Grace, lived only for an hour after she was born.

He’s also a father figure to Chas’s son, Aaron.

Paddy’s arrival

Paddy came to Emmerdale way back in 1997 as a locum vet to cover for Zoe Tate. He hit it off with Mandy, though his mum Barbara didn’t approve.

When Mandy married her cousin Butch as a way to stop the family being evicted, Paddy was heartbroken. But they eventually got it together and tied the knot.

Paddy’s love life

Paddy and Mandy were happy for a while but when her dad got ill she had to spend time away looking after her half-siblings. And she eventually began an affair with her dad’s carer. She and Paddy split.

Paddy found comfort in sweet Emily Dingle – Butch’s widow – and they started a romance. They walked down the aisle and became foster parents, caring for many children including Debbie Dingle.

But Paddy had an affair with Viv Hope. And when Emily found out, she left the village for good.

Next, Paddy started a romance with Chas Dingle – nothing like keeping it in the family, eh? He got close to her son, Aaron, and helped him when he was struggling with his sexuality.

Chas cheated on Paddy and the pair split.

Paddy moved on, falling for fellow vet Rhona Goskirk, who’d been in a relationship with Paddy’s bestie Marlon. Awks! Oh, and she was pregnant with Marlon’s baby.

Somehow, the trio made it work, though, despite Rhona’s painkiller addiction.

But when Paddy cheated with Tess Harris, it all fell apart.

And eventually, Paddy got back together with ex-girlfriend Chas.

Baby Grace

Chas and Paddy were surprised but delighted when they found out Chas was pregnant. But their joy turned to devastation when they were told their unborn baby had bilateral renal agenesis and wouldn’t survive long after birth.

They decided to continue the pregnancy, and in heartbreaking scenes, their baby was born, only to die shortly afterwards. The pair imagined the life their daughter Grace would have had.

Later, the pair were nervous but thrilled to discover Chas was pregnant again and their daughter Eve was born in 2019. Chas and Paddy tied the knot in a Christmas wedding in 2020, but their marriage fell apart when Chas cheated with Al Chapman.

Paddy’s depression

Last year, after the collapse of his marriage, the death of Aaron’s sister Liv, and losing baby Grace, Paddy fell into severe depression. He even considered taking his own life.

With the help and support of his friends, he’s got through the darker times.

He’s now engaged to Mandy and the pair are busy planning their second wedding.

Who plays Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale?

Paddy is played by Dominic Brunt. Dominic is married to actress Joanne Mitchell (who played Liv’s mum, Sandra) and the pair have two children.

In real life, Dom is close to his co-star Mark Charnock, who plays his on-screen best friend Marlon. The pair share a love of zombie films and run a zombie film festival each year in Leeds.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.30pm and 2.05pm.