Paul Lambert (Emmerdale)

Paul Lambert
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Mathew Bose
Introduced by	Steve Frost (2004) Gavin Blyth (2010)
Duration	2004–09, 2010
First appearance	10 September 2004
Last appearance	11 June 2010
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Date of birth	3 August 1974
Home	Australia
Occupation	Hotel event organiser
Family Husband Jonny Foster (2008—) Father Rodney Blackstock Mother Val Pollard Half sisters Bernice Thomas Nicola King Sharon Lambert Cousins Bernice Thomas Nieces Gabby Thomas Diane Angelica King

Paul Lambert is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Mathew Bose. Paul appeared between 2004 and 2009. He arrives as the son of existing characters Val Lambert and Rodney Blackstock and in 2008 Paul, who is openly gay, enters into a civil partnership with Jonny Foster, the first of any primetime soap opera.

Character creation 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. 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, 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.

In September 2008, it was announced that Matthew 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". He said it was a "personal decision", and played down press rumours about low morale amongst the cast and denied they were unhappy with series producer Anita Turner. 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".

Storylines

Paul Lambert arrives in the village in September 2004, the only son of Val Lambert after leaving Italy having split from his partner of nine years Enzo. Paul soon returns to Italy to try and fix the relationship with Enzo, who later visits the village, but their relationship comes to an end. Paul and Val had had a difficult relationship for some years after he had had an affair with one of Val’s boyfriends. His childhood was difficult, often having to protect his mother and get her out of trouble. He later revealed to Diane that he had been subjected to frequent beatings by the man he thought was his father, along with his brothers. At a family wedding later in 2004, Val revealed that Paul’s father was not Jimmy Pepper, a former boyfriend, as he had always been told but Rodney Blackstock, who at the time of Paul’s conception was married to Val’s sister, Diane. Rodney and Paul then try and build a relationship, with Rodney finding Paul’s sexuality difficult to cope with. However, they do finally build a good relationship. Paul also builds a strong friendship with Emily Kirk and later Perdy Hyde-Sinclair. In his early days in the village, Paul does a drag act, called Thelma Louise, but later stops doing this. During his time in the village he works as a barman at "The Woolpack" and an event organiser.

In 2005, Paul starts a relationship with bisexual Ivan Jones, a local binman. Having suffered homophobic abuse in the past, Ivan does not want their relationship known, something which is difficult for Paul. They get past everyone finding out about their relationship by accident in the pub, but Paul’s sister Nicola Blackstock develops a crush on Ivan. However, when Lesley Meredith – the mother of Nicola’s partner Simon – sees Ivan and Nicola together she gets the wrong idea, and tells everyone that they are having an affair. Paul ends their relationship, and although Ivan tells him Nicola was lying, Paul refuses to give him another chance.

In late 2006, Paul rescues neighbour Grayson Sinclair from beating, and it is revealed that Grayson is bisexual. Grayson’s wife, Perdy, assumes that Paul and Grayson are having an affair, but Paul reassures her they are just friends, and he builds a strong friendship with her. In February 2007, Perdy believes that Grayson is sleeping with Jonny Foster, so she introduces him to Paul. They soon start a relationship, and after six months move in Paul, Emily and Rodney. When Grayson and Perdy have difficulties in their relationship – caused by his mother Rosemary – 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 Perdy separate, and after one argument he tells her about his one-night stand with Paul. Months later, Katie Sugden gives birth to Grayson and Perdy’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 Perdy, but changes her mind when she finds out about Grayson’s relationship with Paul. Katie had not told Perdy of her plans to give the child to her, so when Katie goes into labour Perdy tells Grayson. Perdy 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 out him and tells the village about their one-night stand.

Jonny soon texts asking for a divorce, and in January 2009, he requests they close their joint bank account. After this Paul's friends, Lily Butterfield and Leyla Harding, seeing how upset he is decides to try and reconcile him and Jonny. This causes Jonny's mother, Patricia Foster, to visit the village. After initial confusion, Paul convinces Patricia that he still loves Jonny, who has moved to Australia. He plans to travel to Australia to try and build his relationship with Jonny, but Val lies and tells him that Rodney has a heart condition in attempt to ensure he does not leave the village. Lily, however, gets in touch with Jonny and arranges a meeting between him and Paul. While they both still love each other, Paul tells Jonny he cannot leave Emmerdale because of his father's condition. However, on the day Jonny is to fly out, Paul discovers Val had been lying about his father's condition after confronting Rodney when he was about to make love to Pam Montclare. Before he leaves, although he does not forgive Val he does say he believes she is sorry for what she did. He then rushes to meet Jonny.

Paul returns briefly in June 2010 for Nicola's wedding to Jimmy King. He goes back to Australia after the ceremony.

Reception

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. 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".

External links

• Paul Lambert at itv.com