EMMERDALE’S Reece Dinsdale has made a career out of dying dramatically on beloved soaps.
But the actor – whose Paul Ashdale character met a grisly on the Dales tonight – thinks it tops his dramatic death on Coronation Street.
Reece played Joe McIntyre on the Cobbles for two years until 2010, when his character met his end trying to fake his own death in order to claim insurance money.
“I thought it might be difficult to top my exit from Corrie where I drowned in Lake Windermere… but maybe we did! I’d say far better than leaving in a taxi,” he told The Mirror.
Paul a violent gambler who had beaten son Vinny and frequently conned fiancee Mandy, died on Emmerdale tonight.
His storyline reached a devastating climax as viewers watched a van crash into Paul on his wedding day to Mandy Dingle.
Viewers saw Paul dying in hospital as Mandy, played by Lisa Riley, watched over him totally heartbroken, as son Vinny also fought for his life.
Fans of the show were delighted by the death of the character after Paul attacked Vinny’s girlfriend Liv Flaherty.
In his Emmerdale exit interview, Reece also revealed he has never watched himself on TV after struggling with body dysmorphia.
Despite his successful four-decade-long career, the 61-year-old actor opened up about “never being comfortable” in his body after childhood bullying.
Reece explained that he suffers “every day” with the mental health condition, which causes people to obsessively worry about flaws in their appearance.
After hiding the disorder for many years, last year saw the soap hero open up on his online video diary Reece’s Pieces, telling fans about his struggles.
“I don’t watch Emmerdale at the moment, but I will now I’ve finished,” he explained. “The first time I watch I hate myself, then I’ll watch it a second time – then the third time I watch I look at the piece and forget about myself.”
Body dysmorphia, which is often triggered by bullying, a chemical imbalance or through genetics, can lead to depression and anxiety.
It’s thought that around one per cent of Brits suffer, with men in particular thought to hide the condition from friends and family.
“Being an actor, you’ve got to be able to talk about your emotions, but not every man can do that,” he added. “I think a lot of men struggle.”
