EMMERDALE star Mark Charnock was left “overwhelmed” as fans react to Marlon Dingle’s terrifying stroke.
ITV viewers were in floods of tears as the chef collapsed minutes after he asked girlfriend Rhona Goskirk to marry him.
While viewers were left emotional at the tragic scene, many praised the ITV soap for its portrayal of “real stroke signs.”
The 53-year-old actor, who has played Marlon for almost 26 years, said he was “moved” by the response.
The actor penned: “It’s hard to know what to say to you all, other than I’m genuinely overwhelmed.
“Thank you for all your messages. It’s been so very moving to read.
“ALL credit is due to the astonishing #Emmerdale team, the @TheStrokeAssoc & the clinicians & survivors who’ve advised us. Thank you all. X”
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One viewer wrote: “You made me cry. You were wonderful.”
Another posted: “Outstanding, I am in bits.”
“You are an incredible actor. Always blown away by your dramatic storylines,” a third commented.
Another added: “You were amazing mark. Obviously a lot of work & research was done and just wow! Portrayed very sensitively and the scenes were emotional. Well done to you & the whole team.”
On Monday’s episode, the couple ended up proposing – and accepting – at the same time.
But after rushing home in a fit of giddiness to find the ring, Marlon suddenly felt strange.
As he desperately searched for the ring, he stopped and realised the side of his face had frozen.
Collapsing on the floor, he was unable to shout for help – or even make a sound.
Marlon was visibly terrified with special effects and sounds showing how he was struggling to form thoughts.
The clock showed the slow passing of time as the Dingles and others carrying on celebrating.
But when Rhona and April realised he wasn’t back, April went to fetch him.
She found him collapsed on the floor but couldn’t understand what he was trying to say.
Calling for an ambulance, she begged for help but Marlon couldn’t understand what she was saying.
“Dad just speak to me please,” she said.
Arriving at the hospital, Rhona was given an update by the doctor: “Marlon has suffered a serious stroke.
“His speech and mobility have been badly affected. He needs surgery to remove the clot that’s blocking the artery to his brain.
“We won’t know how bad things are until after the surgery. He’s in and out of consciousness – what’s he’s able to understand is difficult to say.”
Rhona went to see him but was terrified of what she would find – and she promised to marry him and always be there for him.
Viewers were utterly heartbroken by the scene but blown away by the episode.
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One wrote: “Marlon already such an emotional yet incredibly well acted episode, well done to @emmerdale for portraying the signs of a stroke.”
A second said: “Oh my god. That was so traumatic but the awareness this storyline will bring is absolutely invaluable.”
