Emmerdale has announced plans for a show-first special episode featuring only male characters.

The episode has been designed to highlight the importance of men talking about their feelings and will tie into the upcoming plot that sees a depressed Paddy (Dominic Brunt) contemplate taking his own life.

Luckily his best friend Marlon (Mark Charnock) manages to get to him in time and after safely bringing him home, he organises a late-night lock-in at the Woolpack with the men of the village.

"When we embarked on this heartbreaking storyline about Paddy's depression and attempted suicide we knew we wanted to shine a light on how important it is to just talk," said Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw.

"Inspired by listening to real stories from the charity Andy's Man Club, we decided to have some of the men in our village come together for a very special episode which purely focuses on them and seeing them talking about whatever they are feeling or thinking.

"If watching some of our most loved characters opening up to each other encourages just one person to reach out and start talking, we will be extremely thankful."

Charnock added: "Despite Paddy being home and safe back in the heart of the village Marlon is finding it hard to get through to him and is worried Paddy will never find the courage to open up and talk.

"When Chas and Jimmy both unwittingly give Marlon this idea it's not long before Marlon is acting on their information and setting up this lock-in. He just hopes it will help."

The special episode will air on ITV1 and ITVX on Friday, March 10.