Ivan Jones: Binman in 'love triangle' with Nicola and Paul

Daniel Brocklebank is currently playing vicar Billy Mayhew in Coronation Street, but before his stint on the cobbles, he starred as bisexual binman Ivan Jones in Emmerdale.

Ivan is currently causing waves in Classic Emmerdale episodes as hasn’t told anyone he likes men and women. So with half the village lasses chasing after him, it’s quite the surprise when he kisses Paul Lambert.

Who was Ivan Jones and where did he end up? Everything you need to know right here.

Ivan Jones looks serious in Emmerdale — Binman Ivan Jones was a popular resident! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Ivan Jones arrives in Emmerdale

On May 5 2005 Ivan arrived in Emmerdale working as a binman at King & Sons. He had just separated from his wife, Jordan and had a fling with Toni Daggert.

After that, he turned his attentions to Jasmine Thomas. There was a considerable age difference but they bonded over a love of literature. Laurel didn’t like the idea of them spending time together and warned Jasmine away. Things soon fizzled out between them.

Paul hides behind Ivan who has a cricket bat and is confronting the homphobes — Ivan’s defence of Paul led to his coming out (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Relationship with Paul Lambert

Nicola Blackstock made it very clear she was interested in Ivan. She tried to see off Toni who was also sniffing around him again.

However, things took a turn when Ivan kissed Nicola’s brother, Paul. Paul was stunned, but clearly liked Ivan too. They started a sexual relationship, but things were complicated by the fact Ivan insisted they kept it a secret.

Paul couldn’t live a lie for long and decided to end things. But it was clear the spark was still there. During a drunken meal with Nicola and her boyfriend Simon, Paul and Ivan began flirting with each other again.

As they grew closer, Paul accompanied Ivan to collect some things from his ex-wife’s house. But while Ivan was inside, Paul was surrounded by homophobes and his van graffitied with the word ‘ladyboys’. Ivan came back out and declared Paul was his boyfriend. The statement shocked everyone, most of all Ivan, who had never admitted anything like that out loud before.

However, he still insisted they kept their relationship a secret back in the village. Paul reluctantly agreed, but Ivan was then outed in spectacular fashion…

Paul was doing a drag act performing as Thelma Louise at the Woolpack and dropped hints about his secret boyfriend. Furious Ivan felt he was being pressured into coming out and confronted Paul in the toilets. However Paul had not switched off his microphone so the whole pub heard their argument and Ivan was outed. Although he blamed Paul at first, he eventually dealt with it.

Ivan looks horrified as scantily clad Nicola tries to kiss him (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) — Ivan was horrified at Nicola’s seduction attempts (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Nicola breaks up Paul and Ivan in Emmerdale

Jealous Nicola still liked Ivan and wanted him for himself. And what Nicola wants, she makes sure she gets – no matter what the cost. Simon had by this point moved on and Nicola decided to seduce Ivan. He firmly told her thanks but no thanks, so she decided to punish him for the rejection.

Nicola told Lesley, Rodney and Laurel that she and Ivan had slept together. Ivan insisted that was not the truth, but Nicola managed to manipulate everyone into taking her side and they thought he was lying.

Paul refused to speak to Ivan. However, Nicola soon confided in Laurel she had made it all up and Laurel could not keep such a secret. She announced the truth to everyone in the pub, but Ivan refused to accept their apologies.

Ivan leaves Emmerdale

Rodney thought Paul and Ivan should get back together and although he was annoyed Ivan agreed. He asked Paul for another chance, but Paul didn’t think it was a good idea.

Ivan left for a while then came back after being made haulage manager for Matthew and Sadie King’s rival business. He lived with Simon, but soon the job came to an end and both Simon and Ivan left for a new life in Costa Rica. His last episode aired on August 2 2006.

Coronation Street's Billy looks expectantly at Paul — Billy is facing heartbreak in Coronation Street at the moment (Credit: ITV)

Daniel Brocklebank in Coronation Street

Actor Daniel Brocklebank who played Ivan is currently playing vicar Billy in Corrie. He joined the soap in 2014 as a new love interest for Sean Tully.

Billy’s life has been turned upside down on more than one occasion. He is a former drug addict and is currently supporting husband Paul Foreman as he battles motor neurone disease.

Back in April 2024 when Ivan arrived in Classic Emmerdale, Daniel told of his joy at being in both shows at once. He shared a picture of him pointing at his character on screen and wrote: “Today Ivan Jones entered Classic Emmerdale… I’m now officially running in two amazing shows on ITV! Here’s me at 24 and 44…”

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A post shared by Daniel Brocklebank (@danielbrocklebank)

Daniel has also been in EastEnders

In fact, Daniel has completed the soap hat trick! He also appeared in EastEnders in 2010 as Roger Green when Billy Mitchell was trying to track down his long-lost son.

Billy’s ex, Julie, told him Roger was their boy. But when Billy confronted him and revealed he was his dad, Roger explained that was not true. It turned out Julie had lied as she couldn’t trace their real son so fantasised her boss Roger was him.

Daniel has also had several parts in Casualty over the years, plus roles in The Bill, Doctors and Waterloo Road. He just needs Hollyoaks to complete the full set now!