
If you’ve watched Emmerdale over the past two decades, the smooth-talking Rodney Blackstock is impossible to miss. But the actor behind him, Patrick Mower, didn’t start his working life on a TV set—he spent years as an engineering draughtsman before training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. This article traces his path from a factory floor in Oxford to one of British soap opera’s most enduring characters, and looks at what else is publicly known about his personal life and current activities.
Born: 12 September 1938 ·
Education: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) ·
Famous role: Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale (since 2000)
Quick snapshot
- Born 12 September 1938 in Oxford (IMDb (film database))
- Graduated from RADA in 1962 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- First appeared as Rodney Blackstock on Emmerdale on 24 October 2000 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Exact number of children (reports vary from one to three)
- Current relationship status (some sources name Anya Pope, others mention Belinda)
- Net worth (no reliable public figure)
- 1962: Graduated RADA
- 2000: Joined Emmerdale cast
- 2024: Still appearing as Rodney Blackstock
- Continues to play Rodney Blackstock on ITV’s Emmerdale (ITV (broadcaster and streaming service))
- No announced retirement or new projects outside the soap (ITV (broadcaster and streaming service))
Five key identifiers paint a clear picture of Patrick Mower’s identity and professional standing.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Patrick Archibald Shaw |
| Born | 12 September 1938 |
| Education | RADA |
| Known for | Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale |
| Spouse | Anya Pope (m. 1996) |
What was Patrick Mower famous for?
Key roles in film and television
- First television appearance: Mary Barton (1964) (Famous Birthdays (celebrity profile))
- Breakout role: Michael West in Haunted (1967) (IMDb (film database))
- Notable guest spots: Callan (as James Cross), The Saint, Doctor Who (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
Mower built a substantial pre-soap career across British television genres—thrillers, action, sci-fi—but it was a daytime soap that turned him into a household name.
Emmerdale’s Rodney Blackstock
- Rodney Blackstock, an “ageing lothario”, was introduced as Bernice Blackstock’s estranged father (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Mower has portrayed the character since 24 October 2000, appearing in well over 1,300 episodes (per IMDb count)
- ITV describes the role as a long-running fan favourite (ITV (broadcaster and streaming service))
For more than two decades, this single role has defined Mower’s public image. Newer viewers may only know him as Rodney, unaware of his earlier dramatic work.
Stage career
- Trained at RADA, graduating in 1962 (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
- Early theatre work included Swizzlewick and other stage productions
- Reportedly auditioned for James Bond in the late 1960s but was considered too young (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
The implication: Mower’s foundation in classical training gave him the versatility to move between stage, guest TV roles, and a long-running soap—a path many RADA graduates follow but few sustain for 20+ years.
Who was Patrick Mower’s first wife?
Marriage to first wife
- Mower married Audrey Giles in 1959 (Famous Birthdays (celebrity profile))
- The marriage produced two older children, per a Liverpool Echo report (Liverpool Echo (regional news outlet))
- Details of the separation are not publicly documented
Marriage to Anya Pope
- Mower married Anya Pope in 1996 (IMDb (film database))
- They have one son together, according to both IMDb and the Liverpool Echo
- Some web references mention a partner named Belinda, but no verified source confirms a current relationship
How old is Patrick Mower’s wife?
Age of Anya Pope
- Anya Pope’s date of birth is not listed in any of the verified sources
- No public database profiles her age or background
Age of Audrey Giles
- Audrey Giles’s birth year and current age are not publicly available
The catch: Because neither woman is a public figure, their ages remain private. Readers asking “How old is Patrick Mower’s wife?” will not find a reliable answer in open records.
What is Patrick Mower doing now?
Current projects
- Still plays Rodney Blackstock on Emmerdale as of 2024 (ITV (broadcaster and streaming service))
- No announced departure from the soap
Recent appearances
- Regular appearances in Emmerdale episodes broadcast weekly on ITV
- No reported public events or interviews outside of the show’s promotional activities
Retirement status
- Mower has not announced retirement
- At 86, he remains one of the oldest active cast members on British daytime television
If Mower were to reduce his screen time or leave Emmerdale, it would mark the end of a 24-year continuous run. For now, viewers can still catch Rodney’s scenes in new episodes.
How tall is Patrick Mower?
Height
- No authoritative source (IMDb, Wikipedia, ITV) lists Patrick Mower’s height
- Fan sites and unverified databases offer guesses, but none meet reliability standards
Net worth
- No verified figure exists; estimates online vary wildly and lack sourcing
- Unlike many American soap actors, UK soap salaries are not publicly disclosed
Age
- Born 12 September 1938—making him 86 years old as of 2024 (IMDb (film database))
The trade-off: Basic biographical details like height and net worth remain unknown because Mower has never been a celebrity who courts publicity outside his role. Readers seeking those numbers will find only speculation.
Confirmed vs. unclear: What we know
Confirmed facts
- Born 12 September 1938 in Oxford
- Graduate of RADA (1962)
- Played Rodney Blackstock since 2000
- Married to Anya Pope since 1996
- Prior roles in Callan, The Saint, Doctor Who
What’s unclear
- Total number of children
- Whether he still lives with Anya Pope or a different partner
- Net worth and height
- Plans after Emmerdale
Quotes that define his career
Rodney Blackstock is an ageing lothario who has been a regular character in Emmerdale since 2000.
— Wikipedia entry for Rodney Blackstock (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia))
Patrick Mower plays Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale, 2000-present.
— ITV Emmerdale cast page (ITV (broadcaster and streaming service))
For Emmerdale fans, the takeaway is straightforward: Patrick Mower has been a constant presence on British screens for over two decades, but much of his personal life remains deliberately private. The pattern is typical of long-serving soap actors—intimate details rarely surface unless they become part of the show’s narrative. What is clear is that his career pivot from engineering draughtsman to RADA-trained actor paid off in a way few could have predicted.
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For those curious about the actor’s personal history, Patrick Mowers first marriage and family offers a deeper look beyond his on-screen persona.
Frequently asked questions
What was Patrick Mower’s first acting role?
His television debut was in Mary Barton in 1964 (Famous Birthdays (celebrity profile)). His first lead role was Kenneth Wiley in Swizzlewick the same year.
Did Patrick Mower appear in Doctor Who?
Yes, he made a guest appearance in the classic series of Doctor Who (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
What is Patrick Mower’s real name?
His birth name is Patrick Archibald Shaw (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)).
When did Patrick Mower start acting?
After graduating from RADA in 1962, he began professional theatre work. His first television role followed in 1964.
Is Patrick Mower still alive?
Yes, as of 2024 he is alive and continuing to appear on Emmerdale.
How old is Patrick Mower?
He was born on 12 September 1938, making him 86 years old (IMDb (film database)).
Who is Patrick Mower’s wife?
He married Anya Pope in 1996 (IMDb (film database)). His first wife was Audrey Giles (married 1959).
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