Emmerdale producer hints at darker edge to Paddy and Mandy storyline

"It's not all going to be love and laughter there with those people."

By Justin Harp

27 Jan 2023

ITV

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw has hinted at a darker edge to Paddy and Mandy's storyline.

The soap has previously confirmed that there will be surprise passion for the former lovers this spring, as Paddy struggles to move on from estranged wife Chas's cheating with Al.

During a Q&A on the soap's YouTube account, Shaw warned viewers that a reconciliation for Paddy and ex-wife Mandy in his time of weakness won't be the catharsis he hopes for.

"I think the audience, since Mandy came back, have been desperate maybe to see a little bit of Paddy and Mandy. I think we're going to see those two rekindle their romance and get it on a little bit together," she said.

"But it's not all going to be love and laughter there with those people. What we'll see is actually, underneath it all, as much as Paddy is putting on that big smile and that he is trying to act like everything is okay, actually underneath it all, it's not. We'll see a lot more of that in 2023."

Viewers have already seen Paddy battling his bitterness and anger in dealing with Chas, who has repeatedly tried to make amends for betraying him with Al last year.

ITV

Soap bosses have promised "blackmail threats, cruel deception, and forbidden, secret liaisons are about to send shockwaves through the Emmerdale village" as Paddy, Samson, Noah and Charity Dingle all face huge revelations and betrayals in the coming months.

Can Paddy recognise he needs help with his mental health?

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.