Emmerdale legend congratulated by fans after swapping the UK for luxury lifestyle abroad

AN Emmerdale star has been congratulated by co-stars after swapping the UK for a luxury lifestyle abroad.

Soap legend Mark Charnock has held a firm role on the show as Marlon Dingle since 1996, but he’s decided to take time out to venture around Italy.

The 54-year-old actor has swapped his hard hitting storylines for some sun in Bologna and Parma so far, with plans to explore Italy with his family.

Sharing a snap of the places he’s been, Mark penned: “Bologna/Parma photo dump. Amazing food, people, places. Bologna now hands down my favourite Italian city.”

In the photo dump he posted snaps of a church, delicious Italian food and the architecture,

And Mark’s Emmerdale co-stars were quick to wish him well on his travels in the comments.

Fans of the star also posted messages of congrats as the star enjoyed some well-deserved time out.

“Oh my days Mark, la dolce vita! And that exhibition!!!” wrote one, while another said: “Great photos Mark. Looks fabulous.”

A third added: “Absolutely gorgeous. Hope u had a good time,” and a fourth penned: “Brilliant photos have a lovely time xx”

Mark tends to keep his personal life under wraps, but he is allegedly married and shares a child with his wife.

On the soap, viewers know all about Marlon’s many marriages, with the character having said ‘I do’ three times – first to Tricia Fisher, then to Donna Windsor and Laurel Thomas.

He won the award for Best Dramatic Performance at the 2004 British Soap Awards for the heartbreaking storyline which saw Marlon switch off the life-support for his first wife, Tricia.

He’s had some tough storylines to content with too.

In 2010, Marlon dated Rhona Goskirk and the pair became parents to a Down syndrome baby named Leo.

His character is also father to April Windsor and they featured in an informative choking fit storyline.

In February 2016, Marlon learned from Cain that Aaron was repeatedly raped by his father Gordon during his childhood.