An Emmerdale stalwart of nearly three decades has expressed his frustration at being left out of one of the most anticipated television events of the new year. Actor Dominic Brunt, who has played the beloved vet Paddy Kirk since 1997, has confirmed he will not feature in the groundbreaking Corriedale crossover special.
A Historic Soap Crossover
The special episode, set to air in early January 2026, will mark the first-ever official crossover between ITV's two flagship soaps, Coronation Street and Emmerdale. Promising to be a monumental event, the instalment is guaranteed to change lives forever within the soap universe. The drama will be triggered by a multi-vehicle pile-up on a stormy country road near Hotten, bringing the characters from Weatherfield and the Dales crashing together in a moment of chaos.
While the full cast list remains under wraps, confirmed characters set to feature include Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers), and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson). Soap bosses have teased that the aftermath will give rise to "fear, murderous intent, death, destruction, closely-guarded secrets, and lies."
'I'm Fuming!' – A Star's Reaction
Dominic Brunt revealed his disappointment during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women this week. When asked about the Corriedale episode, the actor responded with humorous exasperation: "Well I'm fuming because I'm not in it!"
Despite his personal snub, Brunt was full of praise for the project. "I'd read the script, the script is incredible," he said. "It was weird having the Corrie lot in our canteen. I think, honestly, it's going to be amazing. It's a really good episode." His comments highlight the unique and exciting atmosphere on set during the filming of this unprecedented collaboration.
Heralding a New Era for Soaps
The Corriedale episode is more than just a one-off special; it signifies a major shift in British soap scheduling. The episode will herald the debut of both shows' new transmission patterns. From Monday to Friday, starting in January, Emmerdale will air at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm.
The excitement for the crossover is palpable behind the scenes. Iain MacLeod, ITV’s Executive Producer for Continuing Drama, said: "There is a massive buzz around both the Leeds and Manchester sites... As a soap fan myself, I think my head is going to explode when the episode airs next year. It will be mind-blowing, historical and unmissable."
Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks echoed this sentiment, praising the brilliant script and director, and highlighting the infectious camaraderie between the two casts. "People are loving working with people they have not worked with before," she said, imagining the delight of soap fans like her mother watching their favourite worlds collide.
While Dominic Brunt may be "fuming" on the sidelines, the stage is set for a truly historic night of television that promises to reshape the landscape of British soaps for years to come.
