Mark Womack recently joined the cast of Emmerdale, the first time the actor has ever appeared in a soap.
But he didn’t have to go too far for advice over serial drama’s notoriously gruelling schedules, or on-set etiquette…
He just asked his wife Samantha!
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILERS: Charity betrays Vanessa over cancer news
Mark portrays DI Malone in the ITV soap, who tonight (Thursday March 5 2020) arrives to question Will.
Oozing menace, Malone eventually reveals the real reason why Will fears the corrupt cop.
Learn your lines and don’t knock anything over on set!
The actor, 59, has been married to former EastEnders star Samantha Womack since 2009, and the pair have two children together.
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILERS: New Romance for Dan Spencer and Mandy Dingle
Speaking to Digital Spy, Mark revealed the advice Samantha – who played Ronnie Mitchell in the BBC soap between 2007 and 2017 – has given him ahead of his Emmerdale debut.
She told him: “Learn your lines and don’t knock anything over on set!”
He added: “She’s excited that I’m doing it.”
The actor also admitted that he’d actually auditioned for another role, revealing: “I actually came in to meet for another role a while back that didn’t work out, and then this one came along.”
Mark will play a police officer with a “dark history”.
The Liverpool-born actor, best known for his roles in Murphy’s Law, Merseybeat, Vera and Babylon, said: “It’s always a lot of fun to play the bad guy and Malone definitely falls into that category.
“I’m looking forward to the audience seeing his twisted tale unfold on screen.”
The Womack @Merseymouth has only gone and joined @emmerdale Can’t wait to watch him this spring…… pic.twitter.com/vHUVk2VqbV
— Sam Womack (@Sam_Womack) February 8, 2020
The ITV soap also revealed that actor Reece Dinsdale will be joining the cast this Spring, too.
But he won’t need any advice about being in a soap, after playing Joe McIntyre for two years in Coronation Street.
Reece has been cast as newcomer Paul – a blast from Mandy Dingle’s past.
We’re told that Paul will certainly stir things up for Mandy and her mysterious friend Vinny.
![FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO until 00:01 Friday 7th February 2020 EMMERDALE DOUBLE TROUBLE IN THE DALES Following Emmerdale’s fourth consecutive win in the Best Serial Drama category at the National Television Awards, the show is pleased to announce Mark Womack and Reece Dinsdale will be joining the cast. Mark will play DI Malone a police officer with a dark history and Reece will take on the role of Paul a blast from Mandy Dingles (Lisa Riley) past who will certainly stir things up for her and Vinny (Bradley Johnson). Both characters will be on screen this spring. Mark is known for his roles in Liverpool 1 and Murphy’s Law and Reece Coronation Street and Home to Roost. Mark said ‘It’s always a lot of fun to play the bad guy and Malone definitely falls into that category. I'm looking forward to the audience seeing his twisted tale unfold on screen.’ Reece [PICTURED] said ‘I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Having recently directed a couple of episodes, and seen at close quarters the superb work the cast, crews and creatives produce, I can't wait to become part of the team once again... albeit in a different capacity. Time to get my acting boots back on! ' Producer Laura Shaw said ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have Reece Dinsdale and Mark Womack joining the Emmerdale family. Although playing very different characters, both come with huge stories that will see lives changed and big explosions in 2020. We're all very excited to see these two hugely talented and experienced actors grace our screens. Press Contacts: Sian Hunter 0113 222 7112 sian.hunter@itv.com Emily Ogden 0113 222 7110 emily.ogden@itv.com Janine Goodall 0113 222 7121 janine.goodall@itv.com Picture editor: David Crook 0161 952 6214 david.crook@itv.com Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2020/02/06151515/Screenshot-2020-02-06-at-15.15.10.png)
Reece said about joining Emmerdale: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale.
“Having recently directed a couple of episodes, and seen at close quarters the superb work the cast, crews and creatives produce, I can’t wait to become part of the team once again… albeit in a different capacity.
“Time to get my acting boots back on!”
Producer Laura Shaw said of the new cast members: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Reece Dinsdale and Mark Womack joining the Emmerdale family.
“Although playing very different characters, both come with huge stories that will see lives changed and big explosions in 2020.
“We’re all very excited to see these two hugely talented and experienced actors grace our screens.”
Emmerdale is still riding high after its fourth consecutive win in the Best Serial Drama category at the National Television Awards.
Are you intrigued to find out more about the newcomers? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!