Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has promised an unforgettable twist in next week’s special standalone episode centered on Marlon Dingle and his daughter April Windsor — one that he says will “stagger the audience.”

The veteran actor, who has played Marlon since 1996, teased that the episode will deliver a shocking emotional punch as father and daughter finally come face to face after months of heartbreak and silence.

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A Father’s Desperate Struggle

Marlon’s year has been one of the toughest in his long Emmerdale history. His once-bright relationship with April has been torn apart after she was pulled into a dangerous world of drugs and sexual exploitation alongside her boyfriend Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle).

Under the control of ruthless criminals Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), April has been forced to make impossible choices — including distancing herself from her family.

After accidentally dropping pills that were taken by her vulnerable half-brother Leo (Harvey Rogerson), April fled home in shame, leaving Marlon desperate to reach her.

But next week, in what promises to be one of the most emotional Emmerdale episodes of the year, April finally considers returning — setting up a reunion that could either heal or destroy them both.

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“A Twist That Staggered Me”

Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other outlets, Mark Charnock praised the script’s emotional depth but warned that fans should prepare themselves.

“There’s a twist in it that will stagger the audience,” he said. “When I read it, it shocked me so much I actually wished I’d known about it before reading. It really threw me — it’s just a great twist of drama.”