Emmerdale’s Katherine Dow Blyton reveals heartbreaking story of her mum’s death after soap stroke plot
EMMERDALE'S Katherine Dow Blyton revealed her heartbreaking story of her mum's death after Marlon Dingle's stroke plot.
The actress - who plays policewoman and vicar Harriet Finch on the ITV soap - opened up about her devastating loss in 2016.
The chef - who is played by actor Mark Charnock in the ITV soap - collapsed minutes after he asked girlfriend Rhona Goskirk to marry him on Monday's episode.
While viewers were left emotional at the tragic scene, many praised the ITV soap for its portrayal of "real stroke signs."
Soap star Katherine shared her support for the storyline by revealing that it holds significant meaning to her.
"My beautiful Mum died after suffering a severe stroke in 2016," Katherine wrote on Twitter after the episode aired.
"It’s a cruel and sudden end to a life.
"Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the UK. Awareness is crucial. Act FAST. FACE.ARMS.SPEECH.TIME to call 999 @StrokeAssocNews."
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ITV viewers were in floods of tears as the Marlon collapsed minutes after he asked girlfriend Rhona Goskirk to marry him.
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"
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."
As Marlon desperately searched for the ring, he stopped and realised the side of his face had frozen.
As he desperately searched for the ring, he stopped and realised the side of his face had frozen.
But when Rhona and April realised he wasn’t back, April went to fetch him.
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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.
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."
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A second said: "Oh my god. That was so traumatic but the awareness this storyline will bring is absolutely invaluable."
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