An Emmerdale legend fears he’ll soon exit the ITV soap despite being a fan favourite for 24 years.
Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk, arguably one of the show’s best-loved characters, still gets scared he might be set for the chop.
The star says each winter he always gets a little anxious it might be his last in the fictional village. Although, we don't think he has anything to worry about.
“Every Christmas when the contract is up, I still think that’s probably it,” Dominic, 50, told our colleagues at The Mirror.
“I think that keeps me going, the thought that at any point you could be out. You can’t just wing it, turn up with no ideas.
“So I try hard – but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have a job this good for so long.”
This Christmas looks like being a big one for Paddy and his on-screen partner Chas Dingle, 43, who is played by Lucy Pargeter.
Paddy and Chas have had a year of both heartbreak and joy – first losing their daughter Grace to a congenital birth defect then celebrating the birth of their second daughter Eve.
So Paddy decides to seal their bond with a surprise Christmas Day wedding. Viewers will see a few twists and turns play out over the festive period.
Despite being on Emmerdale for over two decades Dominic is as motivated as ever.
He explained: “I’m a really big fan of the show and I’m very lucky. I’ve probably dodged a couple of bullets and I never ever take it for granted.
“When difficulties emerge on set I still get nervous. It’s a challenge. I don’t want to look like an idiot in front of six million people watching but I’m literally shaking and feeling a bit sick.
You can find out all the latest news from the ITV soap by visiting our dedicated Emmerdale page.
