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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Emmerdale 10 years ago: Aaron on the run, steamy affair and Zak's health battle

Emmerdale looked very different 10 years ago in 2012, as the ITV soap's biggest April storylines featured abuse, affairs, huge secrets and new love.

As Debbie Dingle and Cameron Murray's romance heated up, amid her pregnancy, she had no idea he was having an affair with her aunt Chas Dingle.

Of course viewers who have stuck with the soap know how that all ended, while fans may also remember back in April 2012 there was an abuse scandal too.

Ashley Thomas was discovered to have violently attacked his elderly father Sandy, while trying to get him moved to a care home.

It cost him his family and village respect at the time, while he was remorseful for his actions.

Emmerdale was airing the star of new romances, killer storylines and family heartache in April 2012 (ITV)

Wife Laurel Thomas refused to leave him alone with Sandy or their children, who were scared of him, and it took time before he managed to get them back.

There was a shocking exit too after a devastating fire at the garage, which led to Aaron Dingle, then Aaron Livesy, going on the run.

He took the blame for the real arsonist, his best friend Adam Barton, after actor Danny Miller quit his role - while he would later return, before his latest departure in 2021.

As Debbie Dingle and Cameron Murray's romance heated up, amid her pregnancy, she had no idea he was having an affair (ITV)

The Dingles were torn about Aaron's decision to flee and heartbroken to see him go, and Adam felt guilty for letting Aaron take the blame - something he himself did for his mother Moira some years later.

Eric Pollard and Brenda Walker embarked on a romance too, while they did soon split - but the characters are now back together in present day, and stronger than ever.

Ali Spencer and Ruby Haswell were desperate to get Ali's ex Dan to sign the divorce papers, while there was a worrying health scare for Zak Dingle.

Zak Dingle suffered a shock collapse and was rushed to hospital, with doctors soon telling him he appeared to have a panic attack (ITV)

The character suffered a shock collapse and was rushed to hospital, with doctors soon telling him he appeared to have a panic attack, likely brought on by stress or depression.

Zak hid this news from his worried loved ones and refused to tell them what was really going on, while fans may remember the character's battle with depression on the soap.

Possibly the biggest story of this time was Debbie being oblivious to her aunt and partner's steamy affair during her pregnancy.

Aaron Dingle went on the run as hee took the blame for the real arsonist, his best friend Adam Barton (ITV)

Chas felt guilty and called it off, only for the pair to give into temptation and carry on seeing each other in secret.

This affair would continue and eventually be rumbled, leaving Debbie devastated and Chas abandoned by her family, only for Cameron to then reconcile with Debbie later - but that was the least of their worries.

Cameron turned killer and murdered Carl King, Alex Moss and Gennie Sharma, before taking the whole pub, including Debbie and Chas, hostage with a shotgun until his demise.

Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.

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