Emmerdale: Mandy Dingle and her disastrous love life

Mandy Dingle is about to tie the knot with Paddy Kirk, making it wedding number four for the bolshy beautician (though wedding three ended in disaster and no actual marriage), and the second time she’s married Paddy.

So with her – ahem – chequered history of marital bliss, will it be fourth time lucky for Ms Dingle? Or will her dabbling in findom camera work mean it’s not happily ever after?

We thought now would be a good time to take a look back at Mandy Dingle’s disastrous love life.

Here’s our round-up.

Mandy Dingle and her disastrous love life in Emmerdale

Mandy hoicks up her wedding dress in Emmerdale spoilers as she runs through the village determined. — Is fourth time a charm for Mandy Dingle? (Credit: ITV)

Paddy Kirk

When Mandy came to the village for the (very dramatic) wedding of her cousin Tina to Luke McAllister. She immediately hit it off with vet Paddy Kirk and they started a romance. But Paddy’s mum, Barbara, did NOT approve of Ms Dingle.

She tried to break up the couple and knowing the Dingle family had money troubles, Barbara eventually went as far as paying Mandy to marry her cousin Butch Dingle!

Mandy looks unhappy at the register office as she marries cousin Butch — Mandy was paid to marry Butch! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Butch Dingle and Mandy in Emmerdale

Butch had always secretly loved Mandy, so he was well up for their romance, but Mandy couldn’t hide her feelings for Paddy. They started an affair and Butch’s heart was broken. Aww!

Paddy and Mandy's first wedding — Paddy and Mandy got married 25 years ago (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Paddy Kirk (again!)

Once she’d broken up with Butch, Mandy rekindled her romance with Paddy and the pair walked down the aisle in a traditional Dingle wedding 25 years ago. They were happy for a while, but Mandy’s dad, Caleb, got sick and Mandy went to look after him.

While she was spending time with Caleb in Plymouth, Mandy began an affair with Caleb’s carer, Neil.

Paddy forgave her, but he eventually realised she’d only come back out of guilt and the pair broke up again. Mandy left the village.

She did return briefly to try to win Paddy back but realised he was happy with Emily Dingle – Butch’s widow – and left again.

Mandy looks resigned as Paul talks to her — Mandy didn’t trust Paul when he first came to the village (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Paul Ashdale

In 2019, Mandy came back to Emmerdale with adoptive son Vinny. At first viewers thought Vinny might be Paddy’s son, but it was revealed that he wasn’t even Mandy’s biological son – instead she had brought him up since he was tiny.

Vinny’s dad – and Mandy’s ex – Paul Ashdale arrived in the village and he and Mandy rekindled their romance.

Paul was a gambling addict, but he promised Mandy he’d stopped. However, that was just one of his many lies. He was also abusive and violent and son Vinny was the target.

Meanwhile, Mandy and Paul were planning a wedding. On their big day, Liv Flaherty found out the truth and confronted Paul in the barn where the wedding was taking place.

Paul lashed out at Liv, but just as he did, Jimmy King crashed his lorry into the barn. Paul was trapped in the wreckage and begged Liv to help – she forced him to confess to beating up Paul and then walked away.

When the barn exploded, Jimmy, Liv and Paul were injured. Paul died in hospital. Mandy was heartbroken – and even more devastated when she found out the truth about Paul.

Mandy Dingle and Jimmy King in Emmerdale

After Jimmy crashed into the barn, his guilt was overwhelming and he turned to Mandy for support. She was there for him and they began to connect emotionally.

As Jimmy faced court over the accident, convinced he was going to prison, Mandy read out out statement to the judge supporting him. Jimmy was so grateful, he kissed Mandy.

Things didn’t go any further and Jimmy went back to Nicola with his tail between his legs. And although she gave him a hard time, she eventually forgave him.

Mandy looks happy and surprised as Paddy proposes to her in Emmerdale — Mandy and Paddy are planning a wedding (Credit: ITV)

Paddy Kirk (again, again!)

When Mandy first returned, Paddy was happily married to Chas Dingle. When they split due to Chas having an affair with Al Chapman, Paddy struggled with his mental health. Mandy supported him and eventually they got back together.

Now their second wedding – 25 years after the first – is coming up. But Mandy’s hiding her money troubles from her fiancé, as well as not being entirely honest about how she’s earning enough to pay her bills!

So will the wedding go ahead? Only time will tell!