Ex-Emmerdale star Reece Dinsdale has been forced to hit back at fans who claimed his career has “gone down the toilet”.
Reece is best known for playing Vinny Dingle’s abusive dad Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale, and for his role as villain Joe McIntyre on rival soap Coronation Street. Now he’s working as a director on both soaps – and was keen to let one critic know that he’s still working.
It all kicked off over politics, with Reece critiquing Nigel Farage amid the ongoing election campaign for Reform UK. But one critic wasn’t happy with how he interpreted the situation, and tweeted in response: “Shame that your career has gone down the toilet and you’re just bitter and twisted. Oh well, never mind.”
Reece took the time to respond on X: “Presently rehearsing a major role in a play at Chichester, followed immediately after by a stint directing two of the nation’s most popular television dramas right up until next April. As toilets go, this is a particularly fragrant one.”
Fans rushed to support Reece, with one gushing: “Over here visiting my mum. She said last night we must get our tickets to see Reece! Bit familiar of her! She is 92 and probably thinks you are a friend!”
Another echoed sarcastically: “Poor Reece. Can’t get a gig to save his life. Pray for him!” Reece is set to star in Paul Unwin’s play The Promise for Chichester Festival Season, and will continue directing Corrie and Emmerdale in the meantime.
Responding to one fan who wondered about his directing work, tweeting: “How would you have liked to have directed some of the older episodes with Pat Phoenix et al.?” Reece replied: “I’m still directing the likes of William Roache, Sue Nicholls and Barbara Knox, so I’ve not done too badly!”
It comes after Reece said he will take a “step back” after a devastating family loss. He explained that his mum had sadly passed away in March this year.
Reece tweeted: “My lovely mum passed away at 9pm tonight. Life will never quite be the same again. Thank you for all the love you wonderful folk have shown me on here over these past few days. Never forgotten. Goodnight, Ma… may your God now be with you!! xxx.”
He revealed: “Following the death of my Ma (& moving house) at 64 I’ve taken a decision to have some time out from work. Many months in fact. I’ve never done that consciously.
“I’ve stuff lined up down the line, so I know that’s easy for me to say. However, I’m loving every bloody second of it!”
