Reece Dinsdale, famed for portraying Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale, makes a comeback to the ITV soap after five years. This time, he steps behind the camera to direct episodes, thrilling fans of the long-running series.
Paul Ashdale’s Backstory
Paul Ashdale served as the father of Vinny Dingle, played by Bradley Johnson. He abandoned Vinny as a toddler, leaving Mandy Dingle, portrayed by Lisa Riley, to raise the boy from age four. Introduced in 2020, Paul quickly emerged as a gambling addict and abusive figure in the village.
Tragic Wedding Day Demise
Paul and Mandy rekindled their romance, leading to a wedding day disaster in April 2021. Jimmy King, played by Nick Miles, crashed his van into a barn wall, hurling the couple amid an explosion. As Mandy watched in horror, Paul succumbed to his injuries. She pleaded, “Please, fight. Don’t leave me on my own. I need you, Vinny needs you. Please don’t stop, you’ve got to keep trying.”
Reece Dinsdale’s Notable Roles
Beyond Emmerdale, Dinsdale gained recognition as Joe McIntyre in Coronation Street, married to Gail Platt (Helen Worth). His Weatherfield stint ended in 2010 when Joe accidentally killed himself while staging his death. Dinsdale also excels as a director, contributing to both Emmerdale and Coronation Street.
Director’s Return Confirmed
Dinsdale shared his excitement on X, stating: “Just showed my Producer the four episodes of Emmerdale that I recently shot… and, it appears, I’m still on the payroll!”
Fans Celebrate the News
Viewers expressed delight online. One fan commented, “Fantastic Reece. I’m looking forward to your episodes. Have a good day.” Another added, “Well Done.” A third noted, “That’s great news, Reece, and well deserved. You put 100% and more in everything you do.” Further praise included, “I should hope so. They’d never get another so dedicated and talented, too!” and “This is excellent, so pleased to hear this xxxx.”
The announcement aligns with gripping Emmerdale arcs, including the Sugdens resuming farming, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) confronting cancer, and Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) seeking freedom after killing Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
