Created 9th March 2003
Updated 29th September 2003

Paul Marsden

official fan card for Paul

Thank You! The Following has been Written & provided by Eithne
© 2003

Character: Paul Marsden

Married: Siobhan Marsden

Parents: Ronnie and Frances Marsden.

Siblings: Alistair "Ali" Marsden and Elaine Marsden. They are twins.

Appeared: 10th March 2003 – present

Played by: Matthew Booth

Biography:

Paul and Siobhan first appeared in March 2003, along with the rest of his family. Soon they moved from their previous home into a cottage in the village, which Marlon and Tricia Dingle lived in. Paul was unhappy with his job working as a porter at the hospital where Siobhan worked. He wanted to become a carpenter full time, but she wasn’t happy with this idea.

Paul then got a job as the village postie, beating Marlon Dingle to the job, which he has been doing ever since. Despite his new job, Paul hasn’t forgotten his carpentry and is now working on kitchen units with local builder Syd Woolfe. Now Paul and Siobhan’s home is for sale, as their landlord Alan Turner is selling it to buy the B&B. Will they settle down permanently in the village?

Frances, Ronnie and their children

Newstories about the actor and character

The Marsdens meet their neighbours the Dingles

Ding(le) dong, we're your new neighbours

From Pure soap 28th February 2003

The madcap Dingle family are in for some excitment when their new neighbours - the Marsdens - arrive in Emmerdale village.

The new family are set to make a dramatic entrance on March 10, and things don't go exactly smoothly from the start.

First their removal van breaks down on the edge of the village, then they find lazy Syd and Mack still haven't finished their new house!

Added to that they'll discover their noisy neighbours are Emmerdale's demanding Dingles.
Still, Marsden Dad Ronnie should be able to sort the Dingles out - actor Ray Ashcroft, who plays the part, used to star in The Bill after all.

Emmerdale has him as a trucker, a bit of a ladies man, and a keen Leeds United fan. Ronnie is married to Frances, played by actress Sandy Walsh.

Eldest son Paul is played by At Home With The Braithwaites star Matthew Booth, and is married to Siobhan, played by ex-Hollyoaks pin-up Abigail Fisher.

The Marsden family also has a couple of troublesome teens, played by Danny Tennant and Samantha McCarthy, who promise to generate plenty of storylines in the future.

All in all March promises to be an exciting time in the lively village of Emmerdale.

The Sun's Weekly Guide to the Soap's 8th March 2003

Meet the Marsdens, the latest Emmerdale Family

EMMERDALE

Weekdays  ITV1

NEW family the Marsdens move in to the village and quickly have the residents rallying round.

The newcomers’ removal van slides into a ditch and head of the family Ronnie recruits the locals to help shift their furniture. He thanks his new neighbours by getting the drinks in down at The Woolpack.

The Marsdens have three children - 17-year-old twins Alistair and Elaine, who live with them, and older son Paul, who lives in Hotten with his nurse wife Siobhan.

“Ronnie is an easy-going guy,” says ex-Bill star Ray Ashcroft, who plays him. “He’s a lorry driver who works hard for his family. They mean the world to him.

“His wife Frances is not too impressed when Ronnie decides he’s buying drinks all round, though. She was planning a nice meal to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.”

Frances has a secret she’s keeping from her husband - she fears she has breast cancer and is waiting for the test results. She gets a job at the factory and opens up to Lisa about her worries when she gets the all-clear.

Lisa explains how Zak’s illness brought them closer and says Frances should talk to Ronnie. “He is shocked,” says Ray. “He admits he’d be totally lost without her.”

The family soon get into the swing of village life with would-be stud Alistair quick to check out the girls.

“He is being a natural charmer,” explains Danny Tennant, who plays him.

“He definitely doesn’t think it will take him long to get a date. He’s so confident, he bets his sister he will be first to get off with someone and sets his sights on Ollie - which doesn’t go down too well with boyfriend Danny.”

ITV.com: The Marsdens Move In

Monday | 10.03.03

Emmerdale's newest residents crash into the village in style tonight. The Marsdens get off to a shaky start when their moving van overturns as they arrive at their new home causing chaos.

However, the family soon finds that living in a small community has its advantages as the locals rally round to help them.

And in return the newcomers ingratiate themselves at the Woolpack.

The Bill veteran, Ray Ashcroft, plays patriarch Ronnie Marsden. He explains how the truck disaster proves to be a great introduction to the village. "The Marsdens are a very sociable family so it doesn't take them long to start making friends with some of their new neighbours - especially after Ronnie buys everyone in The Woolpack a drink to thank them for their help."

And it won't take long for the Marsdens to make an impact on the dales. With a six-strong family - including dad Ronnie, mum Francis, eldest son Paul and his wife Siobhan, and young twins Alistair and Elaine - there will plenty more drama to come.

Miscellaneous Picture

11th June 2003It tickles Marlon (MARK CHARNOCK) that Paul (MATTHEW BOOTH) can be scared of a dog

ITV.COM Mystery Man

Thursday | 28.08.03



Emmerdale star Matthew Booth is nothing like his henpecked character.

The hunky newcomer is thoroughly enjoying his role as postman Paul Marsden but insists their personalities are very different in real life.

Since their arrival in the Dales, the Marsdens have caused mayhem. Father Ronnie conducted an affair with sexy barmaid Louise Appleton, mother Frances had a health scare and their teenage offspring have held wild parties.

But oldest child Paul and his wife Siobhan remain a mystery to Emmerdale viewers. All we know is that the young couple wed in haste in Las Vegas and that Frances disapproves of their love match.

Matthew admits that he can see why some viewers may wonder if Paul is the one who wears the trousers in their relationship.

He laughs, "Paul is a bit under the thumb, and I'd like to think I'm not. Then again, I bet every bloke thinks that! I'd probably not go for a girl like Siobhan because she can be quite a handful."


 Ananova: 

Emmerdale's Marsdens to be axed

Emmerdale family the Marsdens have been axed after just nine months on screen.

Trucker Ronnie Marsden, his wife Frances and children Paul, Alistair and Elaine arrived in the Yorkshire Dales in March.

Ronnie was soon at the centre of a steamy storyline when he embarked on an affair with Woolpack landlady Louise.

But bosses at the ITV soap have decided to give the family their marching orders.

Only Paul and his wife Siobhan have survived the cull, which will see the family written out in December.

Their final storyline will involve Ronnie (Ray Ashcroft) cheating on his wife (Sandy Walsh) yet again - this time with devastating consequences.

They will leave Emmerdale along with twins Alistair and Elaine, played by Danny Tennant and Samantha McCarthy.

Producer Steve Frost said: "The Marsdens have got a great story to play through the autumn, but unfortunately this culminates in them leaving the village.

"However, Paul and Siobhan Marsden will be staying on and the young couple have got some trying times ahead."

Story filed: 13:55 Tuesday 16th September 2003

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