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Emmerdale fans struggled to hide their tears on Thursday as they watched the emotional moment Marlon Dingle walked for the first time since suffering a stroke.
In moving scenes viewers saw the chef slowly make his way down the aisle to marry Rhona Goskirk, after best man Paddy got him out of hospital so they could make it to the ceremony in time.
The moment, which came after Marlon suffered a stroke in March, sparked a slew of reaction from viewers who praised him for taking such a huge step in his recovery.
Touching: Emmerdale fans struggled to hide their tears on Thursday as they watched the emotional moment Marlon Dingle walked for the first time since suffering a stroke
In the hour-long episode, Marlon’s attendance at his own wedding was thrown into doubt after he was rushed to hospital the previous night.
Released just in time for the ceremony, best man Paddy (Dominic Brunt) was tasked with getting Marlon (Mark Charnock) to the church, with an unaware Rhona ((Zoë Henry) waiting for him.
After a speedy wheelchair push down the hill, Marlon made it into the church where his bride was waiting, and stunned guests by fulfilling his personal promise to walk down the aisle.
Emotional moment: In moving scenes viewers saw the chef slowly make his way down the aisle to marry Rhona Goskirk, after best man Paddy got him out of hospital
Stunned: Rhona watched on in disbelief as Marlon walked for the first time since suffering a stroke in March
Slowly Marlon made his way through the pews to greet Rhona, earning a huge cheer from the villagers in attendance, before he and Rhona emotionally exchanged their vows.
The heart-warming scenes, five months after Marlon was left unable to walk following his stroke, were praised by viewers, with some even moved to tears.
One tweeted: ‘Any else in tears watching @emmerdale Marlon walking the aisle,’ while another added: ‘@markcharnock you just broke me in half you absolute b*****d.’ Go on Marlon lad.’
In tears! The heart-warming scenes, five months after Marlon was left unable to walk following his stroke, were praised by viewers, with some even moved to tears
So many emotions! Die-hard fans took to social media to praise the heartwarming scenes
A third added: ‘Yes Marlon!! You did it oh I am crying like I’ve been cutting onions for a week,’ with one also tweeting: ‘MARLON WALKING DOWN THE AISLE OMG.’
‘Awww Marlon walked down the aisle what a beautiful and moving sight #Emmerdale,’ one fan also tweeted.
Another added: ‘Marlon walking up the aisle with everyone cheering him on was just beautiful.’
Earlier this month the Emmerdale cast revealed that they were literally moved to tears as they filmed the emotional moment Marlon walked down the aisle.
According to the Mirror, Zoë, 48, said: ‘We were in tears. It was brilliantly written and the emotion came naturally for both of us when it was needed.
‘The storyline has been such a difficult watch. But the wedding shows the light.
‘Stroke has affected lots of people, including my family, so it’s important we see the light. People need that. Soap reflects real life, but it also needs to bring a bit of joy.’
Shock: It comes after Emmerdale viewers were moved to tears in March after watching actor Mark’s realistic portrayal of his character Marlon suffering a terrifying stroke
Mark said he found the scenes difficult to film, describing the scenes as ‘relentlessly moving.’
Viewers were moved to tears in March after watching actor Mark’s realistic portrayal of Marlon suffering a stroke.
Marlon was seen being taken off by paramedics after experiencing the life-threatening medical condition, with the long-lasting repercussions possibly changing his life forever.
Marlon was seen searching for an engagement ring at his home as he prepared to propose to Rhona.
Serious: The 53-year-old actor, who plays the Woolpack chef on the ITV soap, was seen being taken off by paramedics after experiencing the life-threatening medical condition
Feeling unwell, he looked in the mirror and saw his face beginning to drop, leaving him terrified.
He soon collapsed and was found by his daughter April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) who came searching for him and called an ambulance after realising what had happened.
Mark previously said he found researching the serious and life-threatening medical condition ‘a total eye opener’ and sees the plot line as ‘an enormous responsibility’.
Honest: Mark previously said he found researching the serious and life-threatening medical condition ‘a total eye opener’ and sees the plot line as ‘an enormous responsibility’
Medical attention: Marlon was helped by paramedics after his daughter called for help when she was worried about him going missing for a while
He said: ‘Working with Emmerdale’s research team and The Stroke Association on this storyline has been a total eye opener for me.’
‘We hear the word stroke bandied around a great deal, but being confronted with the sheer weight of numbers in this country alone has been a shock.
‘It’s an enormous responsibility to try to get it right for the survivors and their families, and for those who’ve lost loved ones to this awful event.’
The Stroke Association have worked closely with the soap and believe that audiences ‘will be able to identify with’ the impact of the brain attack which is prompted by blood to your brain being cut off.
If you think you or someone you know is having a stroke, act FAST as a stroke is a medical emergency, and call 999
Remember ‘F.A.S.T’ and check for: F is for Facial Weakness, A is for Arm Weakness, S is for Speech Problems and T is for Time To Call 999
In a non emergency, support is available for anyone affected by a stroke, including family, friends and carers via the Stroke Association on 0303 3033 100, helpline@stroke.org.uk or at www.stroke.org.uk