Mark: Marlon and Laurel a family

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has said Marlon Dingle and Laurel Thomas are already a proper family.

After battling their unrequited love for one another for so long, the chef and the vicar's wife are finally in a happy relationship, and Marlon wants Laurel to move in with him.

Mark revealed: "They're incredibly close, they're a real unit. They're together now, they really feel together, they're in love, they've got each other's backs and they're really being the support for each other in their situations."

When Laurel has trouble paying her rent Marlon suggests she move in with him and bring her kids too. But Laurel's stepdaughter Gabby isn't happy about it.

Mark said: "It solves a lot of problems - she's got problems paying her rent, because Ashley hasn't got any money coming in and she hasn't got enough money coming from the factory. So on a practical level it makes sense.

"But on an emotional level, he wants to be with her all the time, he wants a proper relationship, it's been a long road for them.

"Even though it's quite a jump, it's quite a leap into the unknown, he feels in his heart of hearts it can work.

"He's always wanted a family and he's not trying to steal Ashley's family away from him. He just wants them all to be together."