Emmerdale leaves viewers horrified as Lydia Dingle is raped by her teenage lover Craig in harrowing scenes: ‘I just want to give her a big hug’
- Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk
Emmerdale fans were left horrified after Tuesday’s episode when Lydia Dingle was raped by her childhood friend.
Viewers were shocked to see the “brutal” scenes of Craig (Ben Addis) forcing himself on Lydia (Karen Blick) despite her protests.
Lydia, who suffered child loss with Craig as a teenager, was shocked when he originally returned to the village but soon reconnected with her past.
But during Tuesday’s episode, Craig turned evil and forced himself on Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes.
Fans flocked to Twitter angry and upset after seeing Lydia’s ordeal. One admitted that while the depiction of the subject matter was “important,” the scenes were still “hard to watch.”
Horrified: Emmerdale fans were left alarmed after witnessing horrific scenes of Lydia Dingle being raped in Tuesday night’s episode
Heartbreaking: Viewers were shocked to see the heartbreaking scene where her childhood friend Craig (Ben Addis) Reed raped Lydia (Karen Blick).
Some wrote: “Harrowing scenes tonight.” Not easy for you, but well done. I hope Lydia will hunt him down.’
“Come on #Emmerdale Lydia always tells the truth – please make her go to the police.”
“Poor Lydia, this is so heartbreaking.”
“Omg #Emmerdale was brutal tonight, poor Lydia”
“Lydia at the end of the show. I just want to give her a big hug.”
“This Lydia story is heartbreaking.”
In recent episodes, viewers have been left terrified of Lydia Dingle given the impending rape storyline.
On Monday, Lydia took her ex to the bridge where she scattered baby Toby’s ashes, while Craig later suggested: “Maybe we can do something normal with it?”
Awful: Lydia, who suffered a baby loss with Craig as a teenager, was shocked when he originally returned to the village, but in recent episodes the pair have bonded over their past
Disgust: But during Tuesday’s episode, Craig turned evil, forcing himself on Lydia and raping her in harrowing scenes
What will she do? Fans were hoping Lydia would go to the police to report Craig, as viewers noticed she kept her clothes hidden in a bag to potentially file a report at a later date
Disturbing: Fans flocked to Twitter angry and upset after seeing the horrific moment, with many admitting they found the moment difficult to watch
“For example, take him a toy or some flowers on his birthday so he knows his parents are always thinking of him.”
An elated Lydia replied “I’d really like that” before her former flame gave her a big hug, making the cleaning lady so uncomfortable she was forced to flee.
The scenes come after actress Karen revealed she used healing crystals to cope while filming the harrowing storyline.
Karen recalled how a friend who works as a crystal healer reached out and offered her services to help her find a “healthy coping mechanism.”
I told the Daily Star: “I’m really open to things like that and I thought, ‘Well, it can’t hurt.’ “I’ll give it a try.”
Karen said her friend gave her the gems to carry around with her while filming: “I found it a useful ritual to absorb some of the negative energy and some of the thoughts, feelings and emotions surrounding the scene .”
Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk.
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.