Emmerdale's Dominic Brunt responds to awards competition from former co-star
Emmerdale actor Dominic Brunt has responded to receiving a British Soap Awards nomination for Best Leading Performer — the same category in which his former co-star Sally Dexter is nominated.
Brunt received the nod for his role as Paddy Dingle in the ITV soap, which he has played since 1997.
The past few months have seen Paddy involved in an emotional mental health storyline, and later this month, Emmerdale will air a special episode focusing on his character.
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Sharing his reaction to the nomination, Brunt said: "I'm over the moon. It means a lot and I've never been shortlisted before, so it's lovely."
He then spoke about the feedback he's received from Paddy's mental health story, stating: "It makes it all worth doing. If we've got through to one person, then it's great.
"It's been incredibly educational for me as an actor as well — and hopefully equally so for the audience."
Brunt added: "I've felt a small part of it, because the writing and the research was handed to me on a plate. It was an honour to be able to do.
"It's great to be able to portray that side of things, when it could have been quite a repellent story. I thought it was brilliantly done and I'm proud to be part of it."
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Brunt is nominated alongside Coronation Street's Charlotte Jordan (as Daisy Midgeley) and EastEnders' Danielle Harold (as Lola Pearce-Brown) and Shona McGarty (as Whitney Dean), as well as Dexter.
Dexter is nominated for her role as Faith Dingle, who died in October after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Opening about being nominated alongside Dexter, Brunt said: "I really want Sally to get it! I think if you're going to vote, vote for Sally! I'm not bothered about it, honestly!"
"But Sally is a dream and she did brilliantly," he added. "She's just such a clever actress, she really is."
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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