Paul Marsden (Emmerdale)

On 15 February 2003, a reporter from Inside Soap announced ''Emmerdale's'' plans to introduce a new family, the Mardens. They featured a promotional cast photograph of the family, which included Booth as Paul. The family consisted of Paul and his wife Siobhan Marsden (Abigail Fisher), his parents Frances Marsden (Sandy Walsh) and Ronnie Marsden (Ray Ashcroft). Also introduced were Paul's sister Elaine Marsden (Samantha McCarthy) and his brother Ali Marsden (Danny Tennant). Siobhan works as a district nurse in the nearby town of Hotten. Ashcroft told Allison Maund from Inside Soap that "Paul is a very practical character who's also a bit of an artist. He makes furniture and has a natural flair for art and design." Of his decision, Frost stated "The Marsdens have got a great story to play through the autumn, but unfortunately this culminates in them leaving the village." ==Storylines==

When Paul and his family arrive in the village, Paul initially works as a porter, alongside his nurse wife Siobhan. Paul actually wants to be a carpenter, and does some jobs with Syd Woolfe (Nathan Gladwell), but he finally finds a full-time job at the post office, beating Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) to the role. When Paul's family move away, Siobhan and Paul stay in Victoria Cottage. They seem to have many happy years ahead, but tragedy occurs when Paul attempts to fix a roof with Carl. They get into a fight the day before over a package Carl had not wanted Paul to deliver. They reconcile and get onto the roof. Paul jokingly throws some tools to Carl. Carl throws some back, but when Paul tries to catch them, he falls off the roof. Carl calls his brothers, who move Paul's corpse to his garden. Siobhan finds him and cradled his lifeless body in her arms. No one ever discovers the truth about Paul's death. After his death, Siobhan discovers that she is pregnant. ==Reception==

Sally Brockway from Soaplife believed that writers originally never fully developed Paul and Siobhan until the pregnancy storyline. She added that Paul was the postman and with Siobhan, they "seem a nice enough couple" but nothing more was portrayed to viewers prior to the storyline. An Inside Soap writer praised Emmerdale for its success in introducing the Marsden family. They noted that new families introduced into soap often fail. They opined that the show managed to succeed with the Marsden's who fitted "effortlessly into the show", adding "they're all great". ==References==