Emmerdale fans have predicted there is a “twist” is coming on the soap after Friday night’s episode announced Pierce Harris was dead.
Rhona Goskirk was debating whether she could face visiting her abusive ex-husband in prison, when newcomer and Pierce’s long lost son Marcus Dean arrived.
He told Rhona that Pierce had taken a turn for the worse and as the pair chatted, a phone call came in for Marcus with a number he said he recognised as the prison service.
Marcus took the short phone call and then turned to Rhona to announce his father Pierce was dead - but fans are suspicious of his off-screen demise.
Emmerdale viewers took to Twitter to debate the likelihood of such an integral character being dispatched with in a strange and muted way.
One wrote: “If Pierce is dead I'll run naked down my local high street #Emmerdale” alongside a laughing crying emoji.
Another tweeted: “Don’t believe he’s dead it seems to easy #Emmerdale” while a third posted: “Pierce is not dead....there has to be a twist #Emmerdale”
Another wrote: “Why do I get the feeling Pierce is alive! #Emmerdale”
Many Emmerdale fans urged Rhona to take stock of the situation and confirm the death for herself, with one writing: “Please phone to clarify the death for your own peace of mind #Emmerdale”
Another tweeted: “No it ain't coz Pierce is still alive his son is playing you #Emmerdale”
Given Pierce’s dark past on the soap, after he raped Rhona and then returned four years later and killed her boyfriend, one fan even hypothesised that Pierce could be “the next serial killer” on the soap.
But as Rhona began to spread the news of Pierce’s death, she said her years of torment were “over for good” which again got fans talking.
One wrote: “You can be sure that when someone says “it’s over for good” in a soap it generally means it isn’t #emmerdale”
This comes after actor Darcy Grey has revealed there's more to Marcus Dean than meets the eye following his arrival in the village.
Appearing on Friday's Lorraine, Darcy hinted that his character might not be who he says he is - but fans will find out soon enough.
The 30-year-old soap star explained to Lorraine Kelly: "It's one of those things where it's such a strong storyline to come into, so you've gotta be very careful treading those sorts of waters.”
"We'll definitely find out a bit more about who he is. I think that's the really lovely thing about Marcus, he's coming in with this presumption of who he is, but only time will tell exactly who that person actually is," Darcy teased.
Could news of Pierce’s death be a big red herring for Emmerdale fans? Or after her years of torment, is Rhona really free of him at last?
