A timeline of Mandy and Paddy and their romance in Emmerdale

Mandy and Paddy may or may not be getting married in Emmerdale after her explosive secret came out just hours before the wedding.

It’s hardly surprising it all went wrong after weeks of listening to Paddy gush about how marrying Mandy was like coming home again and how she was the true love of his life. Laying it on this thick is always a huge neon sign in Soapland that something bad is about to happen.

But it’s not the first time things have soured between ‘true loves’ Mandy and Paddy. In fact their first marriage ended so badly, we’re quite surprised they’re going there again.

Here’s their complete history.

Paddy looks at Mandy who is upset and drawn in Emmerdale — Paddy couldn’t talk Mandy out of marrying Butch (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Emmerdale: Mandy and Paddy as star-crossed lovers

In 1995 Mandy Dingle arrived in Emmerdale to live with her uncle Zak after being disowned by her dad, Caleb. Then, two years later in February 1997 Paddy arrived in the village and Mandy fell in love with him.

Things hit a snag when Paddy was overheard ridiculing the Dingle family and Mandy ordered him out of their house. After a stint working in Ireland, Pads came home, apologised and they were back on.

But Paddy’s mother Barbara disapproved of Mandy. Convinced Mandy would only make her son miserable, she paid Mandy to marry her cousin Butch who was hopelessly in love with her. Clearly not so in love with Paddy she couldn’t be bought, Mandy and Butch married in November 1998.

However Mandy was unable to ignore the fact she loved Paddy. They began an affair and she was disowned by the Dingles for cheating on Butch. But before too long, vet Paddy stepped in to deliver surprise baby Belle Dingle for Zak and Lisa and all was forgiven.

Paddy and Mandy in their first wedding pictures as they cut the cake — All smiles for about five minutes! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Following her divorce from Butch in 1999, Mandy and Paddy got married.

Happiness didn’t last…

Before too long, Mandy started taking trips to Southampton to care for her sick dad. Paddy decided to surprise her there, but found her in a clinch with Caleb’s carer, Neil. Oops.

Neil and Mandy in a clinch, she looks guilty as Paddy looks mad — This was not what Paddy wanted to see his wife doing (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Mandy followed him back to Emmerdale and in a special two-hander episode opened up about her affair. She insisted she’d only slept with Neil once and it was because she had felt so worthless in past relationships.

Things got violent and we saw a side to Paddy we’d never seen before when Mandy challenged him. She asked him if he would have done the same if the roles were reversed and the pressure caused him to snap. He pinned her against a wall and screamed in her face that he hated her.

Mandy realised their marriage was over, but soon Paddy begged her to stay. Things escalated and they headed to the bedroom. However despite sleeping together, Paddy couldn’t act like he’d forgiven her.

Mandy is pinned against a wall by Paddy who is screaming in her face in Emmerdale — This was a different side to Paddy (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

When he then realised she was only with him out of guilt and she actually loved Neil, he ordered Mandy to leave. She was devastated, but didn’t take much persuading. By 2001, she realised she wanted Paddy back. But seeing him with Emily and happy, she decided to leave him be.

Mandy smiles in leopard print — Mandy insisted she wasn’t back for Paddy (Credit: ITV)

A reunion for Mandy and Paddy in Emmerdale

Mandy returned 18 years later in 2019. Paddy was happily married to Chas, Mandy insisted she wasn’t there to come between them and all seemed well. Mandy even got engaged to her ex, Paul Ashdale, but he died on their wedding day and then she found out he had been abusing son Vinny, so the less said about him the better.

By 2022, Chas was exposed for having an affair with Al Chapman and Paddy spiralled into depression following their split. Mandy supported him and they eventually slept together again. It was clear Mandy had big, big feelings for him by this point, but he then went missing and planned to take his own life.

Mandy felt responsible, but Marlon and Chas managed to track him down and get him the help he needed before he was able to do anything. He was on the road to recovery, but nowhere near ready for a relationship with Mandy.

So she pined in private and outwardly played the caring friend. By June 2023, Mandy had got her wish and she and Paddy were back on.

Paddy kisses Chas while sitting at the kitchen table — Chas was the one who pulled away, not Paddy (Credit: ITV)

‘Cheating’ with Chas

Things hit a sticky patch when Chas was diagnosed with breast cancer and Paddy stood by her side. Unfortunately he took that support a bit too far when he kissed her.

Paddy came clean immediately and Mandy forgave him, but she then found out Chas ended the kiss not Paddy and heartbroken Mandy refused to have anything more to do with Paddy.

But Paddy managed to win her back with a grand proposal dressed as Prince Charming and they began planning their second wedding.

Mandy looks happy and surprised as Paddy proposes to her in Emmerdale — Mandy was quick to say yes after saying no before (Credit: ITV)

Second time lucky for Mandy and Paddy in Emmerdale?

It became obvious after a while that Mandy was not into planning the wedding. Then it was revealed that was because she is in mountains of debt and with a struggling salon, couldn’t afford to pay it off.

But she refused to tell Paddy, determined a Dingle woman sorts her own problems.

And sort them she has, by becoming a financial dominatrix! She shouts at men online and they pay her money for it. In just days Mandy has paid off her debts and made a killing, but then Bear found out after overhearing her at work – ew!

Although he agreed he would keep quiet, when he realised she was still doing it, he outed her to Paddy who then calls the wedding off.

As Mandy races to save her big day, will these two get wed a second time? Or are all the signs still there this will never be a lasting match?