Paul Lambert is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Mathew Bose.

He arrives as the son of existing characters Val Lambert (Charlie Hardwick) and Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower), and in 2008, Paul, who is openly gay, enters into a civil partnership with Jonny Foster, the first of any primetime soap opera.

The actor said that the audience "distrust why shows are doing things then start not to like the character's story and it is hard to win them back."

[1] Bose said he was proud Emmerdale was the first, and commented that soaps "have a great responsibility to show things as they change and be cutting edge".

[2] He said it was a "personal decision", played down press rumours about low morale amongst the cast, and denied they were unhappy with series producer Anita Turner.

"[3] Paul arrives in the village in September 2004, for his aunt, Diane Blackstock's (Elizabeth Estensen), wedding to Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) after leaving Italy having split from his partner of nine years Enzo (Daniel D'Alessandro).

He is reunited with his mother Val (Charlie Hardwick) who is living in the village and has not seen Paul for years and he gives her a hostile reception.

He manages to persuade Jonny not to leave Emmerdale and on 3 March 2008 they have their civil partnership at Hotten Registry Office.

Months later, Katie Sugden (Sammy Winward) gives birth to Grayson and Perdita's child, who she had agreed to surrogate when they were still together.

Jonny soon texts asking for a divorce, and in January 2009, he requests they close their joint bank account.

After this Paul's friends, Lily Butterfield (Anne Charleston) and Leyla Harding (Roxy Shahidi), seeing how upset he is decides to try and reconcile him and Jonny.

He plans to travel to Australia to try and rebuild his relationship with Jonny, but Val lies and tells him that Rodney has a heart condition in an attempt to ensure Paul does not leave the village.

Paul returns briefly in June 2010 for Nicola's wedding to Jimmy King (Nick Miles).

He then goes to the village and visits his half-sister and cousin Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles) at her Beauty Salon and she shows him round her premises.

He helps Laurel prepare for a job interview with Bernice and tells her that he would like to stay for longer but has things to sort out back home.

Paul goes for drinks in the pub with Jimmy, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) and Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and promises to keep in touch and asks for updates on Val's recovery.

Paul is shocked when a grieving Eric steals the hearse and drives off with Val's coffin still inside.

Paul also offers Alicia Metcalfe (Natalie Anderson) the chance to be his business partner and co-own his bar in Portugal.

After the funeral, Paul calls his sister Sharon (Victoria Hawkins), who had been unable to attend as she was looking after her young daughter, and tells her how the service went.