Emmerdale hit with Ofcom complaints over harrowing storyline
Emmerdale has been hit with complaints after angry viewers fled to Ofcom following a disturbing scenes in last Friday's episode involving tragic teenager April Windsor
Emmerdale has been received a number of complaints, with Ofcom revealing that fans weren't happy with disturbing scenes in last Friday's episode. Fans of the Yorkshire-based soap will know that April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) has ended up in a tricky situation which has seen her being coerced into drugs dealing as she desperately attempts to settle debts.
In the episode in question, April got ready for a meeting set up by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) with client Tim, and he warned her that he would likely expect her to stay around in his hotel room. He told her: "I need this to go right, kid, reputation is everything."
Grim scenes followed where Tim tried to pressure the teenager to take some drugs with him and suggested she do a line to get 'in the mood'. Things escalated further, when he called her pretty and began to touch her as he remarked: "Carrying a lot of tension in those shoulders though, love."
April managed to escape, but Tim shouted after her: "Where are you going? Sit back down. You haven't done what I paid for." The scenes were just a bit too much for some viewers, and 62 fans of the programme issued formal complaints to broadcast regulator Ofcom.
The regulator confirmed the complaints were related 'to the April Windsor storyline appearing pre-watershed'.
Viewers also took to social media to make their opinions known, with one angry viewer writing: "That scene right about the break was incredibly distressing. Well done, April, for getting away."
Another said: "Emmerdale, as a 'soap' and a long-time viewer, I think you've crossed a line with April's storyline" and a third said: "I might actually switch this off if they turn this storyline into pimping out April #Emmerdale!"
However, viewers were warned that dramatic scenes were on the horizon as bosses teased the special episode that would explore April's story specifically. A synopsis read: "In this special episode, April finds herself entangled in a perilous situation as she attempts to pay off mounting debts.
"Pressured by Ray, April is forced into increasingly dangerous tasks, leading to a terrifying encounter. The episode will depict April's desperate struggle for survival.
"Meanwhile, Dawn opens up about her own traumatic past, drawing poignant parallels to April's current predicament.
"She bravely recounts her past experiences and highlights her unwavering commitment to protecting her daughter, Clemmie.
"As April grapples with the aftermath of her ordeal, Dawn's own history serves as a stark reminder of the cycles of vulnerability and the fight for a better future."
This is not the first time fans have felt so passionate that they have issued complaints. In August, Mack (Lawrence Robb) was He was shot with a crossbow by John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) before being hit by a rock, and the broadcast regulator received 158 official complaints in total.
A spokesperson from Ofcom confirmed to The Mirror that the complaints were 'related to violent scenes involving a character’s death'.
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