Brunt likes mean Paddy being mean

Emmerdale star Dominic Brunt has revealed he has enjoyed showing off his character's nastier side.

The 42-year-old actor plays Paddy Kirk, whose plans to move to New Zealand with partner Rhona (Zoe Henry) are under threat from pub chef Marlon Dingle, who doesn't want his son Leo to be taken away.

"You get the scripts sometimes and say, 'Oh, Paddy wouldn't do that - he's a nice chap'. But actually, you think, 'I'm going to play this, see how dark we can get it, and then pull him out the other end'. They love each other and eventually I think it will come good," he told ITV1's This Morning.

Dominic also admitted that he likes filming heated scenes with co-star and friend Mark Charnock, who portrays Marlon.

"It's superb drama. We've been screaming and shouting at each other for days - it's great," he continued.

"It's brilliant, as it's a right good release. You can walk out completely calm, because you've been screaming and shouting all day!"

Dominic revealed that Paddy's friendship with Marlon will be tested in coming weeks.

"I think it's going to get worse before it gets better. It gets very, very dark, and that's great to play," he said.