Emmerdale star Emma Atkins has backed her on-screen husband, Lawrence Robb, to win over the nation following his debut on the latest series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Atkins predicted that audience members will quickly adore the soap star as he takes on the ultimate ballroom challenge.
Robb, who portrays Mackenzie Boyd on the ITV soap opera, hit the dancefloor alongside professional partner Jowita Przystal. For their first competitive routine, the duo performed a Paso Doble to Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” earning a respectable score of 20 points. This initial performance secured them eighth place on the leaderboard, tying alongside contestants Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby.
Speaking to the press at the Inside Soap Awards, Atkins-who plays Robb’s on-screen wife Charity Dingle-expressed immense enthusiasm regarding his participation in the prominent dance competition. She also revealed that soap bosses were forced to write Robb out of the Dales at the last minute after he received the surprise phone call to join the show.
“We were filming a scene where we had to get him out so he could go and do it as heโd just got the phone call, and they wrote him out very quickly,” Atkins explained. She noted that Robb even managed to sneak a subtle hint into his final dialogue before heading off to Germany in the storyline.
“He has this moment where he tells Charity he is going to work in Germany, and at the end of the scene I say ‘go on then, you may as well go’ and he does this little flick like a shimmy, and I was like ‘the audience are going to know,’ it was very, very well done.”
An Uphill Battle and a Missing Wingman
While speaking about his casting previously, Lawrence Robb admitted he felt overwhelmed, nervous, and trepidatious, though excitement remained his overriding emotion. He noted that due to his minimal past dancing experience, the competition would present an uphill battle.
Atkins remains confident in her co-star’s potential, praising his rhythm and work ethic. “He’s just got to knuckle down and dance his little socks off, he will do well,” she shared. “He is such a gorgeous human being and his family is as well. I’m excited for his journey.”
Despite her support, the actress confessed to feeling a temporary void on the Emmerdale set without her regular scene partner. “I love him and he’s part of my furniture at work and I’ll miss him. We’re a team, so now it’s like ‘where’s my wingman gone?'”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Lawrence Robb play in Emmerdale?
Lawrence Robb plays Mackenzie Boyd, the husband of Charity Dingle (played by Emma Atkins), on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
Who is Lawrence Robb’s professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing?
Lawrence Robb is partnered with professional dancer Jowita Przystaล for the current series of Strictly Come Dancing.
How did Emmerdale write out Lawrence Robb’s character?
Soap bosses wrote Mackenzie Boyd out of the Dales at the last minute by having him leave the UK for a work stint in Germany, a storyline sparked quickly after the actor accepted the Strictly Come Dancing offer.
What dance did Lawrence Robb perform in his Strictly debut?
Lawrence and Jowita performed a Paso Doble set to Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” scoring 20 points from the judges.
How did Emma Atkins react to his departure?
Emma Atkins expressed strong support for Lawrence, predicting that viewers will adore him, while also admitting she misses having her on-screen wingman on set.
