A self-professed Emmerdale superfan has transformed his home into a replica of iconic soap boozer, The Woolpack, in tribute to the ITV soap he spends his life following.
Robin Barron started watching Emmerdale back in 2003, at just 11-years-old, and has never missed an episode since.
He even remembers that the very first episode he watched was when Trisha Dingle was crushed and killed in the debris when a storm hit the Woolpack two decades back.
READ MORE: Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley on devastating Emmerdale suicide storyline for depressed Paddy Dingle
The now 31-year-old soap fanatic was hooked ever since then and has devoted his life to following the soap and all of the cast members. And while he has a clear favourite in the form of Lydia Dingle, played by actor Karen Blick, Robin has made a close connection with many of the soaps stars.
Robin, who works as a sales assistant at a charity, is a member of the Emmerdale fan club and is invited to spend time with the cast on the set of the soap on an annual basis, which is always the highlight of his year. He also attends the British Soap Awards and the NTA's every year.
And it doesn't stop there! Robin goes to any Emmerdale related event that he can do, he has attended charity football matches when he knows the stars are playing.
Most recently he went to watch Aaron Dingle star Danny Miller in panto and also visited former Adam Barton star Adam Thomas' Manchester restaurant, The Spinn.
He has met the majority of the cast and confesses that they now recognise him and know him by name. He said: "I've met Lydia about five or six times, she knows my name off by heart, she said she's had more pictures with me than with her husband!"
Robin is very active on social media and often converses with the cast. He was delighted when several of the actors wished him a happy birthday after he posted a picture of his Emmerdale birthday cake last year.
Robin also goes out of his way to film a clip of himself in his home, which is filled with Emmerdale memorabilia, wishing a happy birthday to his favourite soap stars on their birthdays.
His collection of Emmerdale memorabilia is certainly impressive, Robin loves The Woolpack so much he has attempted to replicate the interiors within his own home. He often contacts the ITV press team to ask where items he has seen on the show are from.
Robin said: "I saw a cushion on TV that I loved the fabric of so I contacted the Emmerdale press team and they told me where it was from, I was able to get the material and make a jacket out of it.
"I also have a cushion that was in Charity's house and a walking stick used by Alan Turner and I won a script that has been signed by all the cast. They are very precious to me."
He has been a member of the Emmerdale Fan Club since 2012, a like-minded group whom enjoy weekly zoom calls to catch up. They're often joined by past and present cast members as well as directors and writers. Robin took it upon himself to run Emmerdale quizzes for the group during lockdown.
Robin says being such a huge Emmerdale fan has changed his life, he has made countless friends through the fan club, with whom he attends events with and his passion gives him a purpose in life.
Everyone in his local area knows about Robin's Emmerdale obsession and he claims he has become "something of an icon" for it. He is often spotted shopping in his local supermarket with his Emmerdale shopper.
Asked how his Emmerdale obsession started, Robin said: "I studied media at college and have always been interested in how things are filmed and behind the scenes.
"I have done some extra work in the past, I would love to be an extra in Emmerdale one day maybe in The Woolpack having a drink or in the cafe.
"My ideal character would be coming in as somebody's date, if I had to choose I would say maybe either Victoria or Belle Dingle."
Asked how Emmerdale has impacted his life Robin added: "Emmerdale has changed my life, it has expanded my social life and helped me learn about what's going on in other people's lives and the issues they have in areas like health and education, which has also helped me in my job.
"I love everything about Emmerdale, the scenery, the Yorkshire Dales, the weather, the stars... I will be a lifelong fan."
Read next:
- Former Emmerdale and 'Allo 'Allo star Vicki Michelle to join EastEnders
- Emmerdale's Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley shares 'career highlight' which leaves pal elated
- Emmerdale's legendary Terry Woods to star alongside former Coronation Street star in new play
- Emmerdale fans predict a new village romance
- Emmerdale's Jessie Elland on the exciting filming change she loves
