THE stroke organisation who worked with Emmerdale star and Boltonian Mark Charnock, said he has done a "phenomenal job so far" on his portrayal of a stroke victim.
During Monday’s episode Mark’s character chef Marlon Dingle, collapsed and was rushed to hospital in the ITV soap opera.
One of the key aspects in making sure it was portrayed accurately and realistically, was working with The Stroke Association.
The star also said the soap worked with some “amazing people”, including stroke survivors, in the build-up to his character’s storyline.
It’s hard to know what to say to you all,other than I’m genuinely overwhelmed.Thank you for all your messages. It’s been so very moving to read.ALL credit is due to the astonishing #Emmerdale team,the @TheStrokeAssoc & the clinicians & survivors who’ve advised us.Thank you all.X
— Mark Charnock🇺🇦 (@markcharnock) March 21, 2022
Jennifer Gardner, Associate Director for the North West at the Stroke Association, said: “It had been a real privilege to work with the team at Emmerdale on Marlon’s storyline.
“From the start we were asked to help shape the storyline, to ensure the details were accurate and realistic when it comes to the experience of having stroke.
“Mark who plays Marlon has done a phenomenal job so far and we are so grateful to him and the whole production.
“There are over 100,000 strokes in the UK every year and 1.3 million people are living with the effects of stroke.”
“It can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time. It's vital to know the signs of a stroke in yourself or someone else.”
The FAST test helps you spot the most common signs:
Facial weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
Arm weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
Speech problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time to call 999: If you see any of these signs.
Facial drooping is the first sign that Marlon is having a stroke in tonight's #Emmerdale. Remember to #actFAST
— Stroke Association (@TheStrokeAssoc) March 21, 2022
◾ F - Facial weakness
◾ A - Arm weakness
◾ S - Speech problems
◾ T - Time to call 999
Find out more: https://t.co/dofxegvAWj@emmerdale @ITV @markcharnock pic.twitter.com/iSkxYqP6Jw
Mark has since released a video to raise awareness on the signs to look out for.
He said: “In tonight’s episode we saw Marlon have a stroke.
“Now strokes can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time and they happen every five minutes in the UK.
“50 per cent of survivors are dependent on others for their everyday needs and sadly one in seven strokes are fatal.
“Hopefully there is some really helpful information we can take from Marlon’s story, the most important is the acronym F.A.S.T, we can use this to identify symptoms of a stroke in you or someone else.”
Many people have also taken to Twitter to praise the actor for his portrayal.
Wow that was emotional for me personally to watch I’ve lost a relative to a stroke in 2016.. it’s horrible and it can kill in literally seconds, minutes even hours.. “not my face” I heard Marlon say sure of it.. great acting by @markcharnock #Emmerdale
— MIKE 🇺🇦 (@mikepriestley13) March 21, 2022
That was the most intense thing I've ever watched. So powerful @emmerdale
— Emmerdale News (@News4Emmerdale) March 21, 2022
Absolutely blew it out the bag tonight @markcharnock @ZoeHenry03 #AmeliaFlanagan 👏👏👏😭
I either blinked too much or didn't blink at all. I don't know which it was #emmerdale
The Stroke Association has previously advised other soaps such as EastEnders and also hospital dramas such as Casualty, but ‘not as in depth’ as they have done with Emmerdale, which they say, ‘has been a wonderful experience’.
If you spot any signs of a stroke, don't wait. Call 999 straight away.
Acting FAST will give the person the best chance of survival and recovery.
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