1st Cousin of Paddy Kirk

See also IMDB entry for James Carlton

Profile from Former Official Site

Played by James Carlton
First appearance on 2nd December 1999

1999
Jason arrived on his cousin Paddy’s doorstep on 2 December 1999, saying his parents had thrown him out because he was gay. Paddy agrees to let him stay. Paddy asks him to keep the fact that he is gay secret for the time being. Tricia and Lyn are both quite taken with Jason although neither of them know about his sexuality.

Jason’s first meeting with the Dingles goes well and he is a big hit with Zak who thinks that his job as a roofer is a proper man’s job, unlike Paddy’s. Paddy pleads with Jason not to tell the Dingles that he’s gay. Jason just thinks he’s embarrassed by him. Zak asks Jason to fix his roof. Jason says he will as Zak is family.

It’s Aladdin night in the Woolpack. Viv throws a drink over Jason by mistake and Gavin takes him upstairs to change. Bernice and Tricia are downstairs wondering what is taking them so long. They walk in on Jason and Gavin kissing. Jason spends Christmas Day with the Dingles and later he leaves the village.

2000/2001
Jason makes his re-appearance in the Woolpack with Frankie and Zak. Bernice is not pleased about Jason being back but decides to let bygones be bygones and put on a brave face about it. Zak suggests Lisa and Jason go into business together doing roofing and general building work.

Jason offers to be a stand in bar man at the Woolpack while Tricia and Marlon go on holiday. Jason receives a frosty reception when he arrives for his first day at work. Bernice soon warms to Jason. He’s a crowd pleaser and makes great cocktails.

He meets an Australian guy called Joe at a club and brought him back to stay over. Jason and Joe are in love but Joe has to go back to Australia. They conspire to get him married so he can stay in the UK. Tricia offers to be his bride, much to Marlon’s disaproval. They are married and soon after Joe leaves the village. Jason is devastated and so is Tricia.  Jason turns to Paddy for comfort and surprisingly Edna is also a source of comfort. 

Jason stops the van on the edge of the village to help a young woman who has gone into labour. There is no time for an ambulance and he helps to deliver the baby in his van. She is greatful and names him Kirk after Jason’s surname. Jason, Latisha and  Kirk become close and Latisha wants more than friendship, but can Jason ever be attracted to a woman?

A Huge Big Thank you to Paul Berridge who has made various profiles and photos availabe to me. They were previously on his Beckindale site (that is no more). The following is one of those profiles - although the coloured boxes and additional information from 2001 onwards on this page have been added.