Emmerdale aired a powerful all male episode on Friday as Liam Cavanagh opened up on his suicide attempt when he was a student at university while the men of the village attempted to help Paddy Kirk following his own mental health struggles.
Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) organised a late night lock in at The Woolpack to try and help Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brutn) after he opened up about his struggles with his own mental health and suicidal thoughts.
Liam ( Jonny McPherson ) revealed he had once overdosed during his time studying medicine at university as he offered up hope that Paddy would be able to manage his mental health struggles after Cain Dingle ( Jeff Hordley ) aired his fears that his brother-in-law would attempt to take his own life again.
Paddy eventually joined his friends and neighbours in the bar as they all one-by-one shared their insecurities and worries. In a hilariously poignant moment, Sam Dingle (James Hooton) dropped his trousers and asked Liam for an impromptu examination over concerns he'd found a lump on his testicle.
Emmerdale fans were left in tears over the emotional episode, as one wrote: "Congratulations @emmerdale that was a beautiful episode.. Liam sharing his story of attempted suicide, Sam dropping his pants worries he had a lump on his testicles. Paddy opening up about how he’s feeling. Award winning episode in my eyes. #Emmerdale."
"Powerful story from Liam, powerful episode. #emmerdale," another said while a third tweeted: "Wow! What a revelation from Liam. Was not expecting that #Emmerdale."
Someone else shared: "Wow what an emotional rollercoaster of an episode #emmerdale one minute crying next minute laughing back to crying. Well done to everyone involved tonight @emmerdale," and another echoed: "Omg @emmerdale are doing this storyline so bloody well! The lads lock in is so emotional, literally sat here crying out eyes out at Cain and Paddy #EmmerdaleBefore the episode, Marlon star Mark reflected on the powerful moment where Liam opened up on his past."
"I won't name anybody, but there's a couple of revelations about people's past that are genuinely a bit jaw-dropping," he revealed of the episode to Digital Spy, "What's brilliant is that one person recalls something that happened to him in his distant past and it sort of explains some of the ways he is now. It's very smart writing, with call backs to characters' history that we haven't seen."
He continued: "I don't think men talk about their feelings generally, so it would be a mistake to say that they just jump straight in and start talking. It takes a while, but once they get there, it just starts to open up like ripples.
"In the bits where they're not talking, I think everybody is just trying to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable. Cain suggests playing darts. Actually, with Cain being Cain, he just says, 'We're playing darts now.'"
Emmerdale airs on ITV on weekdays at 7pm.
