Dirk is Martin Ellacott’s and his girlfriend Carmen’s new baby son, and Robin’s nephew.

On Tuesday 17th January Linda, Robin’s mother, tries to call Robin several times whilst Robin is interviewing Valentine Longcaster. Robin answers after Valentine has left and Linda tells her that Carmen has had the baby a month early. She goes on to say that ‘it was a bad birth, and they think there’s something wrong’ and that ‘they think it’s a birth injury’ (Chapter 63).  A doctor arrives to speak to Linda, and she hangs up.

Linda calls Robin back a little later to say that the injury is ‘torn nerves, something palsy’ and that need to make further investigations (Chapter 64). She also informs Robin that Martin and Carmen have named the baby Dirk.

A few weeks later, Linda sends Robin a photograph of Stephen and Jenny with their new son Barnaby, and Martin and Carmen with baby Dirk.  Dirk is described as ‘fragile-looking’ (Chapter 81).