Beloved Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) is completely exhausted in Emmerdale.
The character had his world turned upside down on Christmas Day when he discovered daughter April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) had disappeared.
At first, Marlon and his family wondered if April had perhaps taken off to see a mate, but as time ticked on and no-one found her, the worry and panic started to set in.
April has been missing ever since. A few weeks ago, Marlon, Mary (Louise Jameson) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were told that April had been spotted on CCTV. It was a massive moment for them that put hope back in their hearts, but it very quickly dissipated.
Marlon went back into the centre of Leeds in the hope he’d find April, but he was reminded the youngster is one of thousands of missing people – it wasn’t going to be that easy.
‘Fireflies of hope that are quenched by reality. If they’re lucky enough to find her in the human haystack and get her back, there’s the challenge of keeping her’, actor Mark Charnock said.
‘Her life has changed so much in ways that Rhona and Marlon can’t begin to comprehend. They’re going to have to deal with an entirely new human being or try and access the bits of her that they used to know and bring it forward.’
In upcoming episodes, concern continues to grow for Marlon, who has pushed himself to the edge over the last few weeks.
Ross Barton (Michael Parr) tries to get his new pal to reveal why he’s sporting a black eye. Eventually, Marlon says that he was tricked into giving away his money and got his injury afterwards.
Worried about him, Ross reminds Marlon that he needs to keep sight of his family at home, but the conversation ends with Ross unsure as to whether Marlon will actually have some rest.
His desperation reaching new heights, Marlon tells Rhona that he’s going out searching again with Ross.
Rhona tries to tell Marlon that he needs to spend more time with Leo and Ivy, but he reacts with anger, which leaves her distraught.
It’s best friend Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) who eventually convinces Marlon that he needs to speak with Rhona. As the chat gets underway, they are interrupted when PC Swirling arrives with huge news.
April has been found.
What follows next will be a special instalment that reveals what April has gone through during her time away.
And it’s safe to say things won’t ever be the same again.
