Patrick Mower Biography: Career, Emmerdale, and Family

Few actors have made the leap from drawing board to screen quite like Patrick Mower. Before he became a familiar face on British television, he worked as an engineering draughtsman at a car plant — a contrast that still surprises fans, and this article traces his career from that factory floor to the fictional village of Emmerdale and looks at what he’s doing today.

Full Name: Patrick Archibald Shaw ·
Born: 12 September 1938 ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Known for: Rodney Blackstock in ITV soap Emmerdale

Six key facts about Patrick Mower at a glance.

Who was Patrick Mower’s first wife?

Public records contain almost no information about Patrick Mower’s first marriage. The actor reportedly married Audrey Giles in 1959, according to Famous Birthdays (celebrity database), but no further details — not even her maiden name or background — appear in any reliable source. The marriage ended in divorce, and Mower later wed actress Suzanne Danielle (Famous Birthdays (celebrity database)).

• First wife’s name: reportedly Audrey Giles, but not independently confirmed.
• No public record of marriage or divorce dates.
• His current wife, Suzanne Danielle, is the only spouse widely documented.

The implication: For a public figure who spent decades on television, the nearly complete void around his first marriage is unusual. Researchers will likely have to rely on unofficial sources.

What is Patrick Mower doing now?

As of the latest available records, Patrick Mower is still alive (Famous Birthdays (celebrity database)). However, he has not appeared on screen since his Emmerdale role wound down, and no recent interviews or public events have been reported. His last major acting credit remains the long-running part of Rodney Blackstock (IMDb (database)).

• No known upcoming projects.
• No social media presence detected.
• Presumably retired from acting (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

The pattern: Fans hoping for a comeback or a memoir may be waiting indefinitely. Mower appears to value privacy in his later years.

Was Patrick Mower married to Suzanne Danielle?

Yes, multiple sources confirm that Patrick Mower married actress Suzanne Danielle. Famous Birthdays (celebrity database) lists her as his spouse, and the pairing is widely noted in biographical summaries. Suzanne Danielle herself has a modest acting career, though her credits are not extensively documented.

• She is identified as an actress (Famous Birthdays (celebrity database)).
• The exact date of marriage is not publicly recorded.
• No children from this marriage have been confirmed.

The trade-off: While the marriage is confirmed, the lack of a wedding date or public appearances together makes it hard to place this relationship in Mower’s timeline.

What was Patrick Mower famous for?

Patrick Mower’s career spans five decades, but his fame rests primarily on one role: Rodney Blackstock in the ITV soap Emmerdale. He first played the character in 2000 (IMDb (database)) and appeared in more than 1,300 episodes (IMDb (database)). Earlier, he was a household name for playing detective roles in Callan, Special Branch, and Target (BFI Screenonline (film archive)).

His role as Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale

• First appeared in 2000 as the smooth-talking businessman.
• Rodney’s storylines involved family secrets and love affairs.
• Mower played the role for over a decade (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

Other notable TV appearances: Callan, Special Branch

• In the early 1970s he played James Cross in Callan, a role that made him a “housewives’ heart-throb” (BFI Screenonline (film archive)).
• He later appeared as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Haggerty in Special Branch (IMDb (database)).

Film roles: The Devil Rides Out, Carry on England

• He appeared in the Hammer horror The Devil Rides Out (1968) (IMDb (database)).
• He also had a role in Carry on England (1976) (IMDb (database)).

The implication: For all his longevity on Emmerdale, his earlier work in gritty 1970s dramas arguably shows a wider range. The soap role defined his public image, but it wasn’t his only achievement.

Who are the children of Patrick Mower?

Information about Patrick Mower’s children is inconsistent. Famous Birthdays (celebrity database) reports that he has a son named Simon and a daughter named Claudia from his first marriage. However, no other reliable source confirms these names, and Wikipedia (encyclopedia) does not list any children.

• Alleged children: Simon (son) and Claudia (daughter) — unverified.
• No ages, occupations, or public records found.
• He has no known children with Suzanne Danielle.

The catch: The lack of cross‑source verification means even basic facts like the existence of children remain uncertain. Fans seeking family details will find only contradictions.

Timeline of Patrick Mower’s life

• 12 September 1938 — Born Patrick Archibald Shaw in Oxford (IMDb (database))
• 1962 — Graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (IMDb (database))
• 1964 — Television debut in Mary Barton (Famous Birthdays (celebrity database))
• 1970–1975 — Played James Cross in Callan and DCI Tom Haggerty in Special Branch (BFI Screenonline (film archive))
• 2000 — First appears as Rodney Blackstock in Emmerdale (IMDb (database))
• c.2015 — Role in Emmerdale gradually reduced; no further acting credits (IMDb (database))

The timeline shows a clear career arc from engineering to RADA to long-running soap role, with no public activity after 2015.

In his own words

I was a draughtsman at Pressed Steel in Cowley. It wasn’t until a friend suggested I try acting that I even considered it.

— Patrick Mower, as quoted in Famous Birthdays (celebrity database)

Callan made him a housewives’ heart-throb after years of villain roles.

— BFI Screenonline (film archive)

These quotes highlight his pragmatic start and later rise to fame.

For British viewers who grew up watching Emmerdale, Patrick Mower is Rodney Blackstock — a smooth, occasionally hapless businessman. For those who remember 1970s television, he is the tough detective who broke the mold. His career arc—from factory floor to RADA to prime‑time soap—is rare in its breadth. The trade‑off: the man behind the roles remains largely invisible. For fans seeking a fuller picture, the absence of recent public activity leaves more questions than answers.

Related reading: **Rosie Bentham: Age, Emmerdale Role, Relationship & Social Media** · **Phil Mitchell: Biography, Catchphrase, Latest Storylines (2025)**

For a deeper look into Patrick Mowers early life and family, many fans find his first marriage particularly intriguing.

Frequently asked questions

Other Emmerdale cast members include Rosie Bentham.