Melanie Doland

Infobox Emmerdale character 2


name=Melanie Doland
creator=Kathleen Beedles
portrayer=Caroline Strong
years=2007-2008
born=
death=
spouse = Greg Doland
sons = Daniel Thomas
sister = deceasedadoptivesons = Arthur Doland
first=26 August 2007
last=1 July 2008

Melanie "Mel" Doland was a fictional character on ITV's "Emmerdale". She was played by Caroline Strong.

Character's background

Mel was first seen at the hospital, along with her husband Greg, when she went into labour at the same time as Laurel Thomas. They had a baby boy, named Arthur. Laurel's husband Ashley gave the Dolands support and the two couple became friends. Both babies were baptized at the same time by Bishop George Postlethwaite.

Unbeknowst to the Dolands, Ashley began to tire of the couple after one two many visits. Greg and Mel became more frequently seen in the village when Greg and Jack Sugden came to an arrangement for the redevelopment of Annie's Cottage. Mel and Jack appeared to have started a frienship during the redevelopment as he confided in her his marriage troubles. After Jack finally brought an end to his marriage with Diane on Christmas Day he decided to sell Annie's Cottage. Greg and Mel jumped at the chance to put in an offer for Annie's.

When, in the episode aired 21 February 2008 entitled 'Heartbreak' (which later won the award for Best Individual Episode at the British Soap Awards), Laurel and Ashley Thomas's son Daniel died of Cot Death. Hilary Potts started to doubt Daniel's true parentage. DNA Tests later proved that Daniel was not Laurel and Ashley's son. Arthur, having been born in an adjacent ward, started to be thought as being involved in a baby swap.

Mel and Greg attempted to flee the country, but Ashley stopped them. When they returned to the village, the police were waiting for them, and although no charges were filed, Mel's nerves were further rattled and she ran away with Arthur. She kept in contact with stepson Jake, and after a few weeks, he told Greg and Greg convinced her to come home. Mel pleaded with Laurel, who did not want to replace Daniel, to not support Ashley in a custody suit, but Laurel reluctantly stood by her husband. On the episode aired Thursday 5th June Arthur was given to Laurel and Ashley. A sobbing Mel collapsed to the floor.

Laurel was unable to bond with Arthur, and Ashley's daughter Gabby resented his presence. She wheeled Arthur's pram to the Dolands' house. Mel took him back home, and began making frequent visits to help with feeding and taking care of Arthur. Greg and Mel argued over Greg's refusal to visit Arthur and Greg's belief that she needed to let go of him.

One day, when Laurel thought Arthur was ill, no one was around to help her out. She planned to drive the baby to hospital, only to run into Mel. Mel drove her there and tried to comfort her. The doctors and Mel believed nothing was wrong with Arthur, but Laurel wanted tests. When the doctors asked who Arthur's mother was, Laurel said she was. Arthur was fine, and now that Laurel had finally accepted him as her son, she asked Mel to please stay away. Mel was gutted at the final break from him, but realised Laurel was right. After visiting baby Daniel's grave to say goodbye to the other son they'd lost, Greg and Mel left town.