Oh, I agree. I'm not defending Joanie's actions. Even if she is the one with all of the legal rights to Kyle, she should've at least let Kerry, Cain and the other Dingles know that she was going and left contact details. She let them all bond with him, so it's cruel of her to just up and take him away without a word to anyone.

I just wish that the whole Joanie/Zak/Lisa mess had never happened in the first place. When she originally returned, I thought she was only back to reintroduce Kyle into the show and then she'd promptly pop her clogs, leaving Cain to look after him. Even though that would've been a bit cliched and predictable, I'd have much rather that happened than having to sit through a full year of the tedious, I'll-conceived love triangle with Zak, while Cain's relationship with Kyle was shelved and almost completely ignored.

I actually quite like Joanie but both her and Zak are being horrible. I would have liked Joanie in the village as a singleton, not all this nonsense with Zak. He certainly isn't t coming across well

I understand what everyone is saying about it ruining Zak and how Lisa shouldn't take him back, but I guess Im just a hold out thinking this was one big mistake of a storyline and I'd prefer if they put them back together and try to forget they ever went down this route. I know if it was real life it would be pathetic to have a wife take her ex-husband back after what he did, but Im nostalgic and prefer an Emmerdale with Zak and Lisa heading up the Dingle's together...even if that means watching them try to re-write things unrealistically to erase this whole sorry mess.

Zak's character was ruined the moment he had a breakdown.

There has been glimpses of the old Zak, and this story topped it off an Iconic couple wrecked for a character that is utterly pointless.

Zak was his usual useless self tonight. He should've been the one trying to find Joanie and putting things right, instead of leaving it to Lisa, of all people.

Having a mental illness doesn't ruin people - and that's what it is, an illness.

I think he's acting totally in character. He got together with Lisa while married to someone else so she shouldn't have been surprised that he did the same thing to her. Likewise the same with Joanie. Once a cheat, always a cheat. He's always been lazy, never had a proper job etc.

I don't think his behaviour in this case.has anything to do with his breakdown. He got caught with his pants down twice and took the easiest route, which is to let everyone else clear up the mess. Although to be fair Joanie wouldn't have let him in the door. He doesn't seem the least bit bothered about losing the grandson who he' s lived with for a year, either. Given the mess he' s created, I would have been tempted to kick the old goat out of that caravanI would have let him stay in the end though.

While I am of the same mindset as you, in that I would prefer them to fix the mess they made and put the Dingle family back together, I don't think it would be unrealistic for Lisa to take him back at all; as we have seen she has been on dates with other men - or tried to and is just not up for it. She's still in love with Zak, despite what he has done.
And while it certainly is not what Zak deserves she is going to take him back.

Nellie was a great character but isn't referred to anymore. Nor is Tina and mentions of Butch and Mandy are scarce. It's like they want to forget that whole era even though it was vastly superior to the modern Dingle era, save for a few Cain/Charity highlights before their dynamic went stale.

I cannot stand the character Joanie.. she is truly disgusting... and creeps me out... every decision she has made has been in her own interests... never in the best interests of Kyle... and I'm pretty sure Family Court would question her decision making skills by bringing Kyle back to the fold of his biological Father and maternal grandmother and extended family... marrying the paternal grandfather and then due to the relationship falling apart... ripping Kyle from all arms of his family.... I suspect any Judge would question Joanie's capabilities to act in Kyle's best interests....

Is that definite then? Gawd, what a boring cliche.

I know we usually agree on most stuff, but I don't want the Dingle family back together at all, in fact I really cannot stand them as a group now. They've become one of those totally creepy families which forces everyone to conform - no one can leave, no one can do anything different, everyone's a "Dingle." I don't mind some of them separately, but as a family, ugh, no. *shudders*


I don't think Joanie's that bad. Selfish maybe in the way she married Zak, but not evil. She's been an idiot thinking Zak would treat her any better than he did Lisa, and now she's realised he won't, so of course she'd leave. And she is Kyle's family. As his bio- Dad and Grandad are currently living in a freezing smelly overcrowded caravan because no one wants them, I don't think any court in the land would decide in their favour.

Tbh I think Joanie was lonely, grieving and needed someone to care for her. It doesn't make her actions right, but Zak's the one really to blame. I think Joanie will

Yes.... a court would look at them ... and consider Kyle's best interests.. not the adults.... even if that visitation had to be supervised and in a place of safety arranged by the local social services.. Joanie opened this door..... she may lose Kyle ultimately ... I'm struggling to feel any sympathy for her... but the wee boy.. it's a shame

That's just what I am interpreting from the character behaviours - I am certainly not privy to spoilers or anything.

As tired as I am of the Dingles as a family thing, this whole Zak has an affair thing was a terrible decision by all involved and should never have happened. And while I would enjoy seeing Lisa move on and out of the fold I truly belive that Zak will be back with his feet under the table before too long - for the Dingle's cannot be their creepy over-involved selves if some of them are trying to break away.

That Kyle kid reminds me of Damien the Omen. Cain best watch out.

I bet he's got 666 imprinted on his scalp.

Ha, I was just thinking that the other day. He really does look like him. It's quite fitting I guess, seeing as he is Cain's son.

Your spoiler actually made me . Too likely.


Poor little Kyle. He looks traumatized enough most of the time.

I agree like the posters above that I wouldn't be surprised if he grows up to make all their lives hell.

Also legally Cain has no rights as he agreed to give his child up for adoption. Kyle's adoptive parents named Joanie as his legal guardian in the event of their dying which is what's happened.

The whole business of Joanie and Zak could have been just a blip, a quickie if you like. Yes, he and Lisa were in a rut but what long-married people don't have times like that? Once they were split up they should have stayed that way and one of them moved out of the village. All the "our Belle" stuff could easily have been handled with one or the other of them not actually being in the village - there does appear to be transport so that should not have been an obstacle.

The whole thing is a dog's breakfast (sorry Alfie!)

Zak's gonna have to go on a journey to turn himself around, they've ruined the character for sure like Ashley was for a time so it can be done it'll take time though

He also needs his immaturity feeding by remaining exactly where he is for life and surrounded by his dysfunctional family. He should have gone a long way away when he married Joni instead of rubbing Lisa's nose in it. Two "mistresses" who've both had a dollop of Karma courtesy of manky Zak, the unlikely philanderer.
If Lisa ever takes him back I will lose all faith in the writers.

Alfie is my favourite Dingle

He can act as well!!

True. They have spoiled the character.

Ha ha! I've thought the same thing! The little boy does seem happier in Emmerdale now he's a bit older. At first he just seemed bewildered. As for Zak and Joannie plus Lisa I'm a bit bored of it all now. I thnik Joanie should leave, without Kyle. I'd like to see Lisa find a new serious partner and have Zak turn to booze and self pity which would serve him right. I want Lisa to be strong and tell him to bog off or whatever they say in Yorkshire to tell someone to sod off in a family friendly fashion.