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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jasmine Allday

Emmerdale legend refuses to 'take role for granted' amid 50th anniversary death rumours

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock fears he'd be booted from the ITV soap at any time.

The actor - who plays Marlon Dingle - has been on the soap for over two decades, but he admits he is always worried he will have his contract ended and his character will exit or be killed off one day.

His comments come amid huge rumours that the upcoming 50th anniversary for the soap - which will take place in October in a month of celebrations - will include some huge storylines, including a possible death.

Multiple Emmerdale stars have teased there's lots of drama ahead in the Dales to mark the upcoming milestone.

Mark Charnock plays Marlon Dingle on the ITV soap (ITV)

Speaking about his future on the show, he said: "Never ever ever think beyond the contract.

"You’ve got to keep trying your best and never ever take it for granted. It’s been a wonderful job and being part of the history of it feels very special, especially coming up to this year."

He added to Metro.co.uk: "Because I remember the 40th like it was yesterday. That decade’s gone like lightning, which I suppose attests to the fact that it’s never been dull and it is fun to work here. I’m very proud to be part of it. I used to watch it with my nan and gran when I was a little boy in the afternoons in the 70s. To be part of that feels lovely for me."

Mark joined the soap over two decades ago (ITV)
He's been at the centre of a huge stroke storyline (ITV)

It comes after Mark revealed exclusively to The Mirror that Marlon was meant to be a "hunk".

"They were going to have him as an absolute hunk, a beautiful, carved thing. At some point someone said wouldn’t it be funny if he was just an absolute dweeb who thought he was that? That was why I got the audition," he said.

"It’s a living, my sort of nerdy-ish appearance, I have been lucky - it’s meant I’ve been cast in parts I really loved. I don’t know how many nerds they saw that day, but I’m glad they saw me."

Marlon and Rhona are set to say 'I do' (ITV)

He also explained how he fears losing his job at any point, even after over two decades on the soap.

"You can never think beyond the end of your contract, ever," he explained, "Often they will ring you and it’s kind of like the doctors - 'It’s nothing to worry about, we just need you to come in…'

"They know me well enough to say ‘nothing to worry about’. You do get a bit like 'could this be it?'"

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