Emmerdale viewers have issued complaints after a 'difficult watch' episode aired on Sunday evening, replacing Friday's cancelled broadcast due to football coverage. The episode featured a sexual assault scene involving Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, which many found disturbing.
Charity, the Woolpack landlady, has become entangled with Dr Caitlin Todd (Caroline Harker), who is blackmailing her over the truth about baby Leyla. Charity gave birth in April after claiming to be a surrogate for her granddaughter Sarah Sugden and husband Jacob, but in reality, she slept with Ross Barton and fell pregnant. Dr Todd, a former nurse who bullied Jacob, discovered the secret and has been demanding money.
In the episode, Dr Todd visited Charity, who had been drinking, and demanded payment. After a trip to the Woolpack, Todd attempted to kiss Charity, who rejected her and called her a 'desperate, pathetic witch'. When Charity fell asleep, Todd climbed on top of her and unzipped her trousers. Charity woke in horror and begged her to stop, after which Todd left.
Viewers took to social media to express their distress. One wrote: 'The SA scene in #Emmerdale is horrendous, please take care of yourselves, very difficult watch.' Another said: 'Did #emmerdale have a warning for tonight's episode? They should have done because that was grim.' A third added: 'I can't watch, I think the writers have gone too far.'
However, some praised the soap for handling the subject sensitively. One viewer commented: 'Tonight's #Emmerdale is an extremely difficult watch but it was handled absolutely perfectly. Amazing performances from Emma Atkins and Caroline Harker.' Another said: 'This storyline WILL help so many people. SA happens. Let's open that conversation and get victims justice.'
