Emmerdale vets Paddy Kirk and Rhona Goskirk are all set to head off to New Zealand in September, and of course, they’re taking Rhona and Marlon’s son Leo with them…

Or at least, they thought they were, but now that Marlon (Mark Charnock) has decided that he won’t go with them to NZ – choosing instead to stay in the village to reprise his relationship with Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) – he is also going to fight Rhona and Paddy for custody of his son.

And of all the days Marlon might choose to break that bombshell bit of news, he ends up telling Rhona (Zoe Henry) and Paddy on their wedding day!

Dominic Brunt, who of course plays Paddy, has been telling What’s On TV how the drama plays out.

He began by explaining that Paddy first realises something’s going on when Marlon – who is his best man – is nowhere to be found as the ceremony gets underway. However, he does then turn up, but at the reception, he tells Paddy and Rhona that he intends to fight for custody of Leo…

Dominic said, “Paddy’s not just gutted, he’s devastated [when Marlon] tells Paddy and Rhona he’s getting a court order to stop them taking Leo away.

“Paddy and Rhona’s first emotion is devastation, although they become angry later on.

“One minute Marlon was going to New Zealand with them and everything was solved. The next he’s saying he isn’t going and doesn’t want Leo to go, either.

“But they don’t know the reason he’s changed his mind is because he’s actually restarted his relationship with Laurel.”

When asked, “Would they resent Marlon if he prevents them from going?” Dominic replied, “It’s not just that. Rhona points out that they would be beholden to Marlon for ever about everything – even just taking holidays and so on.

“If they don’t do this then Marlon will be calling all the shots.”

Dominic went on to say that Paddy’s furious at what Marlon’s doing, saying, “Paddy doesn’t think it’s right.”

He added, “The facts are that Paddy and Rhona didn’t know she was pregnant with Leo when they started their relationship.

“She and Marlon had already made a clean break – or so they thought.

“Then they found out Rhona was pregnant before they’d hardly had any time together.

“Should this then mean that Rhona and Paddy are beholden to Marlon for ever?”

And finally, when asked if Paddy and Rhona would consider giving Leo up and going to NZ without him, Dominic said, “Absolutely not. Rhona and Paddy are Leo’s principal parents.

“She’s his mother and would never go without him and nor would Paddy.

“Marlon is Leo’s biological father, but Paddy’s bringing him up and feels like Leo’s dad.”

We’ll see that drama begin next week!