Paul Lambert (Emmerdale)
Paul Lambert | |
---|---|
Emmerdale character | |
Dee Dee Angelica King | |
First cousins | Bernice Blackstock |
Other relatives | Thomas Tate |
Paul Lambert is a fictional character from the
Characterisation and development
When Paul arrives in the village, he is the only gay male in the programme. While Bose said he liked "being the only gay in Emmerdale", he did not want Paul to be defined by his sexuality.[1] In a February 2008 interview, Bose said that he thought about leaving after a storyline where Paul has a one-night stand with a married man, Grayson Sinclair (Christopher Villiers), saying that he did not believe Paul would have done that. He also criticised the storyline, saying, "It makes out that all gay men are promiscuous and I don't think they are any more promiscuous than anyone else." The actor said that the audience "distrust why shows are doing things then start not to like the character's story and it is hard to win them back." After he "kicked up a fuss", he said the storyline "seems to have been dropped", but said that he would give it a few months before deciding whether to stay with the programme.[1]
On 3 March 2008, Paul and Jonny made British television history by becoming the first couple on a primetime soap opera to enter a civil partnership since the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005. Although radio soap The Archers and daytime soap Doctors had previously featured civil partnerships, Emmerdale was the first primetime soap opera to do so.[1] Bose said he was proud Emmerdale was the first, and commented that soaps "have a great responsibility to show things as they change and be cutting edge".[1]
In September 2008, it was announced that Bose would be leaving Emmerdale. He said that he had "had a brilliant time" playing Paul, but felt it was time to "explore new projects".[2] He said it was a "personal decision", played down press rumours about low morale amongst the cast, and denied they were unhappy with series producer Anita Turner.[2] Turner said that it was "always disappointing to see great actors go" and that the door would be "open for him to come back at any time".[2]
Bose made a reappearance as Paul in 2010 when Paul attended his half-sister, Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler)'s, wedding.[3]
On 17 February 2015, it was announced that Bose was returning to the show for a brief stint, appearing that March. On 11 August 2015, it was announced that Bose would be returning again for the funeral of his mother, Val.[4] Paul returned on 1 September, before departing again on 2 September.
In a 2022 interview, Bose reflected on playing the character, saying that he was "gay on television" when it "wasn't really cool".[3] He added that he "was doing drag on Emmerdale when it wasn't really cool and I was doing gay-kissing… Daniel Brocklebank and I did a gay kiss and it was a bit too passionate, [we got] hundreds and hundreds of complaints."[3]
Storylines
Paul arrives in the village in September 2004, for his aunt,
In 2005, Paul starts a relationship with bisexual
In late 2006, Paul rescues Grayson Sinclair (Christopher Villiers) from a homophobic assault in a park in Hotten, and Grayson reveals he is bisexual. Grayson's wife, Perdita (Georgia Slowe), assumes that Paul and Grayson are having an affair, but Paul reassures her they are just friends, and he builds a strong friendship with Perdita. In February 2007, Perdita believes that Grayson is sleeping with Jonny Foster (Richard Grieve), so she introduces him to Paul to keep him away from Grayson. They soon start a relationship, and after six months Jonny moves in with Paul, Emily and Rodney. When Grayson and Perdita have difficulties in their relationship – caused by his mother Rosemary (Linda Thorson) – she is sectioned. Paul helps build their relationship and acts a go between the two when she refuses to see Grayson. Paul develops feelings for Grayson, and Jonny asks Paul to marry him. Paul accepts, but during their engagement he has a one-night stand with Grayson. When Grayson tells Paul it meant nothing to him, Paul feels guilty and tells Jonny. He manages to persuade Jonny not to leave Emmerdale and on 3 March 2008 they have their civil partnership at Hotten Registry Office. Later that day they have a ceremony at Home Farm, as neither can tell their parents they have already legally married.
Grayson and Perdita separate, and after one argument he tells her about his one-night stand with Paul. Months later, Katie Sugden (Sammy Winward) gives birth to Grayson and Perdita's child, who she had agreed to surrogate when they were still together. Katie had told Grayson that they would bring up the child together, without Perdita, but changes her mind when she finds out about Grayson's relationship with Paul. Katie had not told Perdita of her plans to give the child to her, so when Katie goes into labour Perdita tells Grayson. Perdita soon runs off with the baby, but Jonny refuses to believe that Paul had not tipped Grayson off. He later does believe Paul, but he later sees Paul and Grayson hug. Although, Paul said nothing had happened and he had not reciprocated the hug, Jonny said he could no longer trust Paul and leaves the village. Grayson leaves the next day after Paul outs him and tells the village about their one-night stand.
Jonny soon texts asking for a
Paul returns briefly in June 2010 for Nicola's wedding to Jimmy King (Nick Miles). He goes back to Australia after the ceremony.
Paul returns again in March 2015 after Val is hospitalised after collapsing, whilst suffering from
Following Val's death in a helicopter crash, Paul returns to the village in September for his mother's funeral. He is comforted by Rodney and Bernice. Paul is shocked when a grieving Eric steals the hearse and drives off with Val's coffin still inside. He remarks that his mother would have found it funny. Paul also offers
Reception
Abbie Bray from the Daily Express called the character "iconic".[3] Bose revealed that Paul and Ivan's kiss got "hundreds and hundreds of complaints" for being "too passionate".[3] In 2022, Lucy Marshall from LeedsLive noted how fans wanted Bose to return to Emmerdale as Paul following Bose taking a picture with Nicola Wheeler, who portrays his sister.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Fulton, Rick (28 February 2008). "I'm Proud We'll Have The First Primetime Gay Soap Wedding". Daily Record.
- ^ a b c Green, Kris (15 September 2008). "'Emmerdale's Donald and Paul quit". Digital Spy.
- ^ a b c d e Bray, Abbie (4 August 2022). "Emmerdale star claims he changed name for heartbreaking reason: 'Too brown and gay'". Daily Express. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
- Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ Marshall, Lucy (4 June 2022). "Emmerdale fans call for Matthew Bose to return to show as he reunites with his on-screen sister". LeedsLive. Retrieved 12 November 2023.