Emmerdale fans have hit out at producers for ruining Arthur's coming out storyline. Before Christmas, the youngster revealed to Nicola that he was gay, in an emotional scene that fans described as the "best ever".
But his touching storyline did not last long, as tonight's episode saw Arthur publicly humiliated by his school crush, Marshall. In recent episodes, the pair had been spending more and more time together, leading viewers to wonder whether a romance was on the horizon.
Tonight, it seemed a sure thing - as Arthur and Marshall shared a close moment. The two had excused themselves from a gathering with some of their other school friends and were chatting outside, which is when Arthur told Marshall that he was the "fittest lad at school".
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Suddenly worried that he had got the wrong end of the stick, Arthur added: "I mean, all the girls fancy you." But, as Marshall moved closer to Arthur, he asked: "What about the boys?" And it seemed that the pair would share a kiss.
Marshall then hinted that he would like to go on a date with Arthur, who replied: "You want to go on a date with me?" As the pair stood face to face, Marshall asked: "What do you think? So, what do you say?"
Excited at the prospect of his first date, Arthur - beaming - replied: "Sure, that would be ace." But then two of the boys from school could be heard laughing and, looking up at the house, Marshall and Arthur could see that they were being watched - and filmed on mobile phones.
"Eurgh, I can't believe you did that", said one of the boys, "how did you not [sick noise]." In a final blow to Arthur, Marshall replied: "Trust me, I nearly did."
Devastated, Arthur replied: "What?" As one of the boys threw a tenner down to Marshall, telling him that he had "earnt that". And, in that moment, a tearful Arthur realised that it had all been a bet.
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And Emmerdale fans were left fuming at the way that Arthur was treated in tonight's episode, with some suggesting that it was an irresponsible way for producers to treat an LGBTQ+ storyline. @imcraigoh said: "Oh #Emmerdale. There was absolutely NO need to turn Arthur’s story nasty. Why? Absolutely no need."
@Pilch1972 said: "Oh dear…. Poor Arthur . I hoped this storyline was going to be of benefit to other teen’s trying to come out…. Now they will be even more anxious… bad move".
@chris1968e said: "#Emmerdale knew they would do something like that to Arthur. Even after the s**t they've put out I stupidly expected better from ED bosses. I won't in future".
@realmarkjames20 said: "Marshall - that was really horrible to do to Arthur - and to have the creepy permed boys filming it too. Nasty but typical of crap scriptwriters on #emmerdale".
@SARamsay1 said: "Poor Arthur, that was so unfair! Those boys are a bunch of bullys. I thought it was really genuine for a 2nd, the way that boy was being towards him. It's such a pity that was Arthur's 1st 'gay' experience, especially at his age".
@CPTSDBiDisaster said: "classic emmerdale, can't have arthur just have a good coming out without getting into the homophobic bullying asap, predictable and pathetic". @LunaLocoJewels said: "I knew it was all going too well for arthur. Something horrible had to happen".
@EmmaDale022 said: "#emmerdale predictable, cant have a nice story about Arthur". @Brencon said: "Oh #Emmerdale, why did you do that? Poor Arthur."
Do you disagree with the way that Emmerdale handled Arthur's story? Let us know in the comments!
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