The jury is deliberating Tom’s fate in Emmerdale tonight and there’s a
few familiar faces on it – including Charles Dale, who has a strong soap past.
Alongside Charles are Denise Welch and Jack Ellis, both of whom have really big soapy connections too.
But what about Charles? Some may know him as Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street, others as Big Mac in Casualty. Here’s the lowdown on the actor.
Charles Dale appears in Emmerdale
Foreman of the jury, Karl, is played by Charles Dale. He starts out believing Tom, but with Denise Welch’s Heidi adamant Tom is guilty, which way will it go?
Denise is very excited to be sharing the screen with Charles, having said: “I thoroughly enjoyed shooting this important episode of Emmerdale. To share the jury scenes with Charlie Dale and Jack Ellis and also to see lots of my Emmerdale mates made it a job to remember.”
Birth and early years
Actor Charles was born in Tenby, Pembrokshire, Wales on February 4 1963. His father ran a record shop in Tenby and both his parents were keen amateur actors.
Charles left school in 1979 and became an assistant stage manager at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven. He took on occasional acting roles, and moved to London, where he trained at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Charles is currently 61 years old and he has one child.
Charles Dale in Coronation Street
Despite only appearing in Emmerdale for a couple of episodes, Charles is a well-known soap face. Some will know him as Dennis Stringer in Coronation Street.
Dennis was a former Hells Angel who had been thrown out of the chapter after being forced to sell his motorbike to pay for his divorce. He arrived on Coronation Street in February 2000 when he met Les while doing community service.
Dennis ended up living with the Battersbys, but he soon moved in with Eileen Grimshaw after starting a relationship with her.
However in 2001, he fell for Janice Battersby and they began an affair. They eventually left their other halves but distraught Les reacted by driving his taxi to a wasteland and trying to gas himself inside.
Dennis went looking for him and discovered him unconscious. He managed to drag Les into his car and drove him to Weatherfield General.
But disaster struck when they were involved in a car accident. Les was unharmed, but Dennis was taken to intensive care. Although the crash team desperately tried to save him, Dennis died in hospital on January 2 2002.
Big Mac in Casualty
Charles is a very recognisable face on British television. He has appeared in TV shows such as Lovejoy, Soldier Soldier, Bramwell, A Touch of Frost, New Tricks, Where the Heart is and Unforgotten. However he is perhaps best known for his role in Casualty.
The actor played Big Mac in the medical drama from November 2007 until June 2016. Big Mac was a hospital porter, but later became a healthcare assistant.
A veteran of the Falklands War, Big Mac felt hugely guilty at his own survival. He was sensitive and a bit grouchy!
His storylines included his heart attack in 2012 and being held hostage in 2014. Mac also stole pain medication from work and it was this that led to his eventual departure after eight and a half years on the show.
Big Mac resigned and left the ED in 2016. In 2021 he reprised the role for the show’s 35th anniversary. He only appeared in a cameo in Ethan Hardy’s dream. But when Charles was asked about a more permanent return to the wards by What to Watch, he said: “Never say never!”
What else has Charles Dale appeared in?
Charles continues to work in both theatre and TV. Fans of the 1997 John Simm drama The Lakes will recognise him as Chef.
The actor went on to play McGuire in At Home with the Braithwaites. He also played DS Gareth ‘Rambo’ Rees in ITV three-part drama The Pembrokeshire Murders in 2021.
Charles then starred in an episode of Shakespeare and Hathaway on BBC One in 2022. He also appeared in BBC drama Sherwood both in 2022 and again earlier this year.
