Patrick Mower is best known for playing Emmerdale’s Rodney Blackstock and always wearing a black choker around his neck.
But away from the hit ITV soap, the star couldn’t be further from the character that has seen himself at the centre of some scandalous storylines.
During his time in Emmerdale, Rodney, the son of two circus travellers, has seen himself go from a high flying businessman to becoming an escort.
While many in the humble Yorkshire village are fans of Rodney, this wasn’t always the case as his character has caused some serious heartbreak over the years.
In December 1968, his girlfriend, Diane Lambert gave birth to their daughter, Bernice, but Rodney decided leave his five-year-old daughter and wife.
Unbeknownst to Diane, he later had an affair with her sister, Val, with who he shares his only son, Paul, before marrying Maureen, the mother of his second daughter, Nicola Blackstock.
But what is his life away from the cameras like? Daily Star is here to bring you all you need to know.
Confusing early life
(Image: Getty Images)
Born Patrick Archibald Shaw, the veteran actor lived a confusing life as a youngster.
Back in 2007, the actor revealed that he thought he was was born in 1940, however, he hadn’t been registered and was shocked to discover that he was in fact born on September 12, 1938.
While this in itself is confusing, Patrick’s place of birth was also discovered to be a lie, with several television programmes claiming the actor was born in Pontypridd, South Wales, rather than his hometown of Oxford.
(Image: ITV)
Patrick, now 84, was the son of a Welsh dad, Archie, and English mum, Peggy, but didn’t always have the best relationship with his father, who he admits encouraged him to be a better dad.
His dad believed that Patrick was gay growing up due to him wanting to be an actor, something that caused a strain on their relationship.
Speaking previously to The Mirror, Patrick explained that his relationship with his dad had helped him become a better dad to his young son who he shares with his wife, Anya Pope.
James Bond links
(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
While he had been working as an actor since the early 1960s, appearing in TV shows such as Sqizzlewick and films including Black Beauty and Carry On England, Patrick’s life almost changed overnight.
After hearing the news that Sean Connery wasn’t returning to the James Bond franchise in 1980, Mower put himself forward and auditioned for the role of the famous MI6 spy.
Despite seeing himself as “a little boy”, Patrick was the first person to find out from 007 bosses that Roger had decided to step down as the spy.
However, it wasn’t to be as he was rejected by producers on eight occasions for being too young.
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to the Daily Record in 2000, Patrick explained: “I was the first person to be told Sean wasn’t returning to the role.
“Sean was a super, superstar. Back then he was God, I couldn’t believe it when the producers called me in and asked if I’d like to do it, I was 28.”
Patrick later revealed that he was tested once again when Roger Moore’s TV show, The Saint took off in the United States, making him a global star.
He told the Daily Record: “They thought he was too old to do another three films and he hadn’t signed his contract, so they tested me again but then Roger signed his contract.
“I also tested when Timothy Dalton got it and then they went with Pierce [Brosnan] because they’d wanted him for a while.”
However, the setback didn’t knock Patrick’s confidence as he claims he didn’t become an actor to be famous.
Family life
(Image: PA)
Patrick currently lives in Louth, Lincs, with his second wife Anya and their son Maxim.
The beloved actor makes the 88-mile journey from their home to the Emmerdale set in Leeds and then drives home every day in order to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible.
Speaking about his life with Anya who is almost 30 years his junior, he said: “Maxim and Anya are my life, I keep fit with exercise, swimming, golf and tennis so I don’t see age as a problem.”
While little is known about his relationship he has been married to Anya since 1996, following the breakdown of his first marriage.
Patrick married Audrey Giles in 1959 but the year of their divorce is not known, however, the former couple share two children, Simon and Claudia.
Emmerdale lothario
(Image: Yorkshire Television)
Patrick’s character, Rodney, arrived in the village back in 2000 after being invited to meet Bernice and her then-fiancé, Ashley Thomas.
After realising that Rodney was in fact her dad, Bernice almost called off her wedding but later said “I do” with Ashley on Christmas Day of the same year.
His character has seen some conflicting storylines over the years, including the arrival of Val Lambert in 2004, his former flame, Diane’s sister.
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Despite their fling, Rodney and Val started dating again but he was still head over heels in love with Dianne and confessed everything.
In recent years, Rodney’s wealth has rapidly deteriorated with the once-wealthy man becoming an escort in 2013 behind girlfriend Georgia’s back.
While Georgia may have later allowed her boyfriend to continue his lucrative job, his daughter Bernice and son-in-law Jimmy did not approve and Rodney soon called it a day on his escorting career.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV at 7pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
