Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut

An Emmerdale stalwart has opened up about his future amid a spate of departures from the beloved ITV soap.

The festive season witnessed Daisy Campbell's Amelia Spencer exiting the village, while Dean Andrews' character Will Taylor met a grim fate over Christmas.

The anticipated departures of Susan Cookson, Roxy Shahidi, Paula Lane, and Lesley Dunlop have also been widley reported. ITV is reportedly evaluating the future of long-standing soaps Emmerdale and its competitor Coronation Street.

An insider revealed: "ITV is going through a cash crisis with the soaps and the money just isn't there to pay for everyone any more."

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"Ultimately if the character isn't inspiring a lot of story from producers then there's no space for them in the show anymore. There's certainly a worry on set about who will be next to go."

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Mark Charnock has played Marlon Dingle for 28 years (Image: Getty)

They continued: "It's a really worrying time for a lot of cast and crew on the soaps - they don't know if they're going to have jobs after their current contracts end.

Soaps used to be steady employment for people in the industry but it's not that way anymore.", reports Leeds Live.

The Mirror caught up with Marlon Dingle portrayer Mark, who shared insights into his life as a soap actor. The seasoned Emmerdale star, aged 56, remarked: "You can never take it for granted and you never know until you get your next contract."

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Mark has opened up about his soap future (Image: ITV)

Mark shared: "I am a terrible worrier. I find myself driving home muttering lines trying to remember how I played them out. I am a bit neurotic in that way but Emmerdale is such a great show to work on."

He also stated: "I have loved every moment of my 28 years on the show. And what is so great about it is that it changes all the time, it's never not surprising and keeps you on your toes I love that."

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX

Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut

Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut

Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut

Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut

Emmerdale Marlon Dingle star opens up on soap future 28 years after ITV soap debut