Some Emmerdale fans were shocked to revisit an old storyline involving Cain Dingle.
As we reported earlier this month, a ‘classic’ episode of Emmerdale aired where the character, played by Jeff Hordley, slept with 15-year-old Ollie Reynolds back when he was in his 20s, as part of a rather twisted plot to upset her mum Angie. This episode was from back in 2001.
Many took to Twitter after seeing it remerge with some questioning how the character of Cain Dingle could still be a part of the soap. One viewer said: “Remember this from first time round but had forgotten how completely disgusting he was. I hate the Dingles in classic Emmerdale coz I know how yet more awful they are to become, and I hate them in current Emmerdale coz of how awful they always were."
Read more: Shock Emmerdale death expected with Cain Dingle at the centre of the drama
Another viewer said: “Ollie Reynolds was 15 when Cain had sex with her. So yeah, he’s a paedophile.” While we saw an Emmerdale fan post: “I don’t know how they get away with this. they certainly wouldn’t get away with it today.”
Despite these protests, Cain has remained a focal point of the show. Considered by many to be one of Emmerdale’s best loved characters.
These conversations online prompted to revisit some of Emmerdale’s most controversial storylines. Take a scroll below and see if you remember these.
Charity Dingle has baby with cousin
Another controversial storyline involving Cain Dingle. As Emmerdale fans will likely know, cousins Cain and Charity Dingle are parents of Debbie Dingle.
As second-cousins, their relationship was not illegal under UK law. Although, one which made viewers uncomfortable.
Down the years, Cain and Charity have ‘enjoyed’ a very fractured relationship. In recent times, both have ‘settled down’ and made happy lives for themselves in the village.
Jackson Walsh’s assisted suicide
Emmerdale came under fire in 2011 when Aaron Dingle helped his tetraplegic partner Jackson Walsh die. The emotional scenes saw Aaron in floods of tears as he helped his loved one drink a concoction of drugs.
An Ofcom investigation was launched after the assisted suicide storyline garnered several complaints. Acting star Marc Silcok, who played Jackson Walsh, discussed his exit at the time.
He said: “Of course some people will like it and some people won't and that's fine. I just hope people will see what's gone into those episodes and I hope people don't break that connection with Aaron, Hazel and Jackson. I hope they feel it and put themselves in that moment. We want people to ask themselves what they would do in Hazel and Aaron's situation."
Following criticism of the storyline, an Emmerdale spokesperson said: "We have always made clear that our motivation with this story is to drive constructive debate over this sensitive subject. We welcome feedback and 99% of the response we have had from viewers following last night's episode has been overwhelmingly positive."
Val Pollard’s HIV diagnosis
In 2014, popular Emmerdale character Val Pollard was diagnosed with HIV. At the time, Charlie Hardwick, who played Val, was left horrified by the prejudice which surrounds the virus and was targeted by online trolls.
Charlie explained: “Val is quite funny and we don’t want her to stop being funny. But funny people get HIV as well.
“I hope people will have sympathy with Val and have a little think about themselves and their sexual health.”
After joining Emmerdale in 2004 Charlie left the soap in 2017. The character of Val was killed off after shards of glass fell on her.
Maya Stepney grooms her Jacob Gallagher
Teacher Maya Stepney found love with David Metcalfe then went on to groom his teenage son Jacob Gallagher - played by Joe-Warren Plant. The schoolboy was 15 at the time.
Jacob’s ex-girlfriend walked in on Maya and Jacob in bed together and began to blackmail them. When Maya was spotted publicly snogging Jacob she turned the tables and accused him of sexually assaulting her.
Her lies were not believed. The storyline concluded with Maya sent to prison for abusing Jacob.
Rhona Goskirk’s rape
Viewers watched Pierce Harris manipulate and control his partner Rhona Goskirk over the course of 2017. Their tumultuous relationship went in a terrible direction when Pierce brutally raped his wife on their wedding day.
The horrifying scene saw desperate Rhona, played Zoe Henry, try and run away from him, before being dragged into the house and thrown onto the ground. The storyline was another which gained criticism from some.
An Emmerdale spokesperson said: “Emmerdale has a history of raising awareness of difficult subjects and consequently Rhona and Pierce’s story was thoroughly researched and carefully signposted prior to transmission including a warning advising viewers of a shocking assault. In accordance with rigorous compliance regulations, the drama was intentionally implicit rather than explicit. Regular viewers of Emmerdale will be aware that Pierce has mentally, physically and emotionally abused Rhona over a prolonged period of time.”
