Reece Dinsdale’s ‘Emmerdale’ debut has been delayed as a result of the soap’s reduced schedule.
The 60-year-old star recently joined the ITV soap as Paul Ashdale – the former partner of Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley) and father of Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) – after a successful directing stint on the show, and while his first appearance was due to be tonight (07.04.20), he will not be seen in the Dales until next week. ‘Emmerdale’ recently cut its output down to three episodes a week, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He wrote on Twitter: "For those of you remotely interested… I was meant to be making my #Emmerdale debut this evening but, with the reduced weekly output, I’m led to believe it may be next Wednesday (April 15th?) instead.
"I’ll keep you posted. (sic)"
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor was invited to direct some Dales episodes by his pal Ian Bevitt, and after impressing on the production side, he was asked if he would step in front of the camera.
He told TV Times magazine: "I’ve done directing before, but with single-camera filming, not multi-camera, which they have here.
"I have a good friend, Ian Bevitt, who directs at both ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘Coronation Street’, and he said, ‘Come and learn an extra string to your bow.’
"I was shooting some Marlon-and-Rhona scenes, and on my last day I got a call to see the executive producer and producer.
"I thought, ‘It’s a bit late in the day to sack me.’
"They said they were pleased with what I’d done, and made me an offer to be in the show."
Reece recently admitted he was "delighted" to be joining the cast.
He said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of ‘Emmerdale’.
"Having recently directed a couple of episodes, and seen at close quarters the superb work the cast, crews and creatives produce, I can’t wait to become part of the team once again … albeit in a different capacity.
"Time to get my acting boots back on."
Reece Dinsdale’s Emmerdale debut delayed
