Emmerdale fans were left horrified on Thursday as Chas Dingle and Al Chapman began their hotly anticipated affair on the ITV soap.
Going behind husband Paddy Kirk’s back, Chas (Lucy Pargeter) seeks comfort in the arms of Al (Michael Wildman) amid her mum Faith’s cancer ordeal.
After Faith (Sally Dexter) finally told her children her cancer has returned and is terminal, the Woolpack manager has been struggling to cope with the news, particularly after her mum floated the idea of curtailing the aggressive chemotherapy treatment.
Chas has been married to Paddy (Dominic Brunt) for two years and the couple have built their own little family, but he has been left struggling to say the right thing to comfort his wife.
This prompted Al to offer Chas support during Thursday’s instalment of the soap as they opened up about their family dramas.
A sympathetic Al comforted Chas in the wake of his father’s funeral and reasoned she be more honest with her mother so they can both face the reality of her death.
This prompted the Woolpack manager to apologise to her mother for pushing her to go through chemo.
But when Paddy brought home hospice flyers, Chas took her frustrations out on Al after he suggested she’s taken it the wrong way.
Once again, Al offered his support, promising Chas he could be the shoulder she needs to lean on.
Chas thanked him and the pair soon popped a bottle of wine open and, wanting to forget everything, bonded over stories of Faith.
But there was romantic tension in the air and, upon leaving, Chas stumbled onto Al and they shared a kiss.
Emmerdale viewers were left horrified at the moment and taking to Twitter to express sympathy for Chas's husband Paddy and even speculate that Al could be related to Chas Dingle in what would be a huge twist.
One fans penned the possible identity of his adoptive mum after it emerged that Al's adoptive father had died.
Taking to Twitter to air their theories, one fan penned: "Emmerdale pretty sure there’ll be a twist at Al’s dad’s funeral and his adoptive mum will be related to Faith somehow."
They added: "Not incest exactly but it will muddy the waters with Chas if they’re going to get it on!" The fan went on to joke that Rodney could turn out to be Al's real dad, quipping: "Then again, Rodney is a bit of a s***!"
Another fan was left feeling sorry for Paddy, writing: "I think I’ve tweeted this before, possibly more than once but here goes anyway….poor Paddy!"
Another said: "URGH Chas & Al really? Just cos he shows her the slightest bit of attention? Paddy's literally been there for her no matter what never ending drama the Dingle's somehow throw him.
"He deserves so much better. Ain't it enough Al broke up one Dingle Marriage already?"
As the pair are set to strike up an affair next week, amid Cain Dingle’s ongoing feud with the businessman, what is next in store for the former rivals as their bond takes a turn?
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV.
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.
