“If he doesn’t go a long way there’s something wrong with the business.”

This is the claim of Emmerdale legend Mark Charnock as he discussed a new addition to the ITV soap’s cast. Mark, who plays Marlon Dingle, heaped praise on the new generation of stars in the soap when he appeared at a press conference discussing the latest Emmerdale spoilers.

As fans know, after finally returning to the village, following a time living rough, teenager April has seen her friend Dylan reside at her family home with dad Maron and his partner Rhona. It is fair to say, this has provided further challenges for Marlon.

Although, actor Mark is full of admiration for his co-stars, praising new addition Fred Kettle who has joined as Dylan. Proudly, Mark said: “I say this as objectively as I can, he’s one of the best young actors that I’ve worked with.

“He puts me in mind of many of the great young actors we’ve got on this. He’s really into his job, he’s nuanced, he’s clever, he’s attentive, he’s really professional, he’s one of the team, he’s funny, he’s everything you could want in a young actor. As far as I’m concerned, if he doesn’t go a long way there’s something wrong with the business. He’s a really good actor.”

While, as Emmerdale fans know, Mark is always hugely complementary to Amelia Flanagan who plays his on-screen daughter April. During the press conference, he added: “She’s incredible. I’ve said this so many times before, she’s such a clever person. There’s so much going on, that she doesn’t say, that’s done with little tiny gestures. That sometimes you can only just pick out because you have to be quite close.

“She’s so mature and she’s so professional. Very much like Fred. From being very young in this, to 16, it has been an incredible journey watching her turn into the actress she’s become. She’s a proper serious actress and I’m full of respect for her.”