Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has played Marlon Dingle in the ITV soap since 1996, and has been a regular on the cobbles for over two decades
Jess Phillips Deputy Screen Time Editor and Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time
11:01, 04 Nov 2025
Mark Charnock has played Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale since 1996(Image: ITV)
Emmerdale character Marlon Dingle has remained a firm favourite ever since his debut as part of the notorious Dingle family back in 1996.
The offspring of Albert and Delilah Dingle, this Woolpack chef later became dad to April Windsor and Leo Goskirk on the ITV drama.
Over the decades, he’s been at the centre of numerous dramatic plots, from serving time behind bars to mourning his former partner Donna Windsor, plus his enduring friendship with mate Paddy.
However, Marlon now faces his most devastating chapter yet as he continues to worry about April unaware that she’s found herself trapped in the dark world of drugs and sex exploitation.
Fortunately for actor Mark, his real life proves far more peaceful than his on-screen existence.
Mark enjoys strong relationships with numerous fellow cast members and frequently appears alongside them in his social media posts.
Marlon has been at the centre of numerous dramatic plot(Image: ITV)
The soap icon appeared especially close with former colleague Gemma Atkinson, who portrayed Carly Hope through to from 2015 until 2017.
Mark posted previously an amusing series of photographs showing the pair larking about during filming, including one memorable image of Gemma secured by her head to an inflatable mattress.
“When you go to run lines in [Gemma Atkinson’s] dressing room and are greeted by this #idiot,” Mark wrote beneath the playful photograph.
Another image showed Gemma striking a pose on the steps of Marlon’s fictional home, prompting Mark to comment: “When @glouiseatkinson insists that I take her photo. And does this. Every day is a nightmare.”
The actor enjoys strong relationships with numerous fellow cast members(Image: markcharnock/Instagram)
He’s also been spotted enjoying a pint with Michelle Hardwick, who portrays Vanessa Woodfield, as well as Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) and Amy Walsh (Tracy Metcalfe).
Mark prefers to keep his personal life out of the Emmerdale spotlight. However, it’s rumoured that he is married and has a son.
Mark resides in North Yorkshire with his family, including their adorable Golden Retriever, Freddie.
In a cosy snap shared on social media, Mark can be seen cuddling up on the sofa with Freddie, looking stylish in a cable-knit turtleneck jumper and glasses, while Freddie gazes off into the distance.
He’s an avid gardener and enjoys tending to his vegetable patch at home, affectionately referring to his plants as his “little gang”.
Back in 2014, Mark paid a heartfelt tribute to his on-screen son Harry Whittaker, who played toddler Leo Goskirk.
The young actor tragically passed away at just three years old from a chronic lung disease. He was honoured in an episode of the soap with a placard reading: “To Harry, with love” alongside a photo of the child star.
Mark previously posted for a behind-the-scenes snap with Gemma Atkinson(Image: markcharnock/Instagram)
Mark led the tributes to the little boy, saying: “Our superhero. We were lucky to know you and hear your laugh. You lit up our lives dearest, loveliest Harry.”
Addressing fans, he continued: “Thank you all. We’ll all pass on your overwhelming response to Harry’s amazing family. Thank you for all your kind words. It means a lot.
“Just want to say a massive and heartfelt thank you for your amazing response to last night’s episode. So lovely of you.”
Harry was the nephew of Doctor Who actress Jodie Whittaker. Mark also paid a heartfelt tribute to the young lad on what would have been his tenth birthday, sharing on Twitter: “On what would have been his 10th birthday, thinking of this little Spider-Man today.
Mark leads a private life away from the cameras
“Thinking of the joy he brought to everyone he encountered and of his giddy laughter. Thinking of our prince Harry with love and happy memories xxx.”
A quick glance at Mark’s Instagram reveals his deep fascination with horror fiction.
Over time, he’s amassed a collection of books including Jac Jemc’s haunted house novel The Grip of It, W. C. Ryan’s A House of Ghosts, and many more chilling tales.
He’s an admitted zombie enthusiast, much like his co-star and on-screen best mate Dominic Brunt, who portrays Paddy in the soap.
Dominic has even directed his own horror film Before Dawn, with Mark lending a hand to host a zombie film festival in Leeds.
The duo had plans to film a Halloween special for the soap, with Dominic remarking: “I want to do a Halloween special – it’d be great. Everybody could be bitten to death by zombies and we all turn into zombies.”
Mark added at the time: “It might be genius. Someone get me a pen and paper. I need to speak to the producer immediately.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX
