Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has issued a plea to fans as he battles what he describes as an 'exhausting' problem. The actor is best known to viewers for playing Marlon Dingle in the ITV soap and as one of the most recognisable faces on TV, he's facing what appears to be a reoccurring problem on social media.
Taking to Instagram, the soap star posted a picture of what appeared to be an Instagram account with his name and photo. The description of the profile, which was private, read: "Some kind of lanky idiot," and had nearly 2,000 followers.
The post also featured a message that had been sent to a follower of the account which started by saying: "Hello my beautiful fan. Thanks for the love and support," before the gushing message of thanks continued.
Sharing the screenshot with his own 51,000 followers, Mark wrote: "Sigh…this is someone pretending to be me. It’s exhausting. Why do people do this? It’s SO weird. Please report and unfollow. Thank you."
Former Emmerdale co-star Danny Miller, who played Aaron Dingle, tried to make Mark laugh as he cheekily commented: "So this wasn’t you?" to which Mark, 54, replied: "Don’t make me come over there!!!" alongside a string of crying laughing emojis.
Meanwhile, Gemma Atkinson, who starred opposite Mark in Emmerdale as Carly Hope as well as appeared in Hollyoaks, recalled a joint encounter the pair both had online. She wrote: "I wonder if it’s the same person who was going to 'kick us both in the back'. Crikey some ppl have a lot of free time don’t they?!" And Mark laughed as he replied: "pahahaaaa! I miss that guy! I hope he’s well."
And fans were also quick to respond and give Bolton-born Mark their backing. @uktvforever said: "Trolls are just Saddos who have no life at all. Best to Block & Report. You’re a brilliant #emmerdale actor Mark." @xxdawny wrote: "Reported. Some people really have nothing better to do."
@helenlt commented: "Imagine getting up in the morning and planning your day...Right I'm going to set up a false insta on an actor on a soap drama. Odd odd odd. X rise above dear mark x." @angiewoodcrafts added: "Yes he wanted to follow me today! It’s so sad. I don’t get why some people do this! Maybe they are jealous of you because your(sic) a superstar & they are not."
Later this week, Mark will be part of an Emmerdale first as only male actors are set to appear in an episode of the long-running soap. Viewers will see Marlon, who is still recovering from having a stroke last year, set up a late-night lock-in at the Woolpack, with only one thing on the agenda - men talking to each other.
The pub gathering will follow Marlon’s horrifying discovery that his friend Paddy Kirk, played by Dominc Brunt, had contemplated taking his own life. With Paddy's mental health continuing to be fragile, and after bringing him safely home, Marlon wants to do anything he can to help his friend. On Friday (March 10), the front doors of the Woolpack will be locked and the men of the village will stay behind for a late night lock-in with the hope of using the night as a forum to talk.
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