Emmerdale will air some terrifying scenes tonight - as a cow stampede leaves lives on the line.
Bosses have revealed a first look picture as the cows from Moira Dingle's farm end up escaping their barn, which is collapsing around them in the wind, and head out into the countryside. The wind whipping up and the huge storm leaves them panicked and they begin to stampede and head out towards the village, with lives now at risk.
In scenes airing tonight, the cows stampede causes chaos and bosses have teased lives are at risk in what they have described as a "dangerous and potential life threatening situation" as the cows are spooked by the weather.
A first look photo shows the cows as they escape from the barn in the storm - with chaos set to descend on the village.
Show designer Duncan Howell recently appeared to confirm the cows would charge at some characters and leave them in danger, as he spilled: "This was one of the big elements of the week. A cow stampede has not been done on a soap to this extent. We began with conversations and lots of planning with the farmer.
"It was really important that this did not cause any harm or stress to these animals. The cattle we used all actually live on the farm. For the filming element we created a new cattle pen near to a run which was a fence running down to one of their fields. So when they came out of the pen they gathered to go down the run to their field. They know they get fed both in the pen but also in the field."
Duncan explained how they created the scenes, adding: "We did a rehearsal which was useful as it ensured the producers and everyone was happy with what we were doing and it was recorded to ensure there was no distress or any stress being caused to the animals. We put their food on the back of a feed hopper and whizzed that down first so the cows had seen their food go.
"So when they came out of their pen they ran as a group to get to the food. It was successful. Of course there was a bit of trickery as we used a thing which we called ‘cow cam’. This will enable the audience to see a cow’s point of view."
"In the scene it will look as if the cows are running towards the Emmerdale characters as the cows stampede. It worked perfectly," he confirmed, seemingly hinting that there are some characters at risk.
Whilst it's not been confirmed if anyone is hurt during the stampede, but recent teasers from boss Jane Hudson seemed to hint that Belle, Nate and Sam are at risk in a stunt only Emmerdale is able to do.
Speaking to The Mirror in August, she said: "There is a story, which involves Nate, Sam and Belle, which is the one that only Emmerdale can do. And that's going to dominate quite a lot of the 50th as well."
