Emmerdale's Chas Dingle actress Lucy Pargeter has revealed viewers "hate" her character because of her latest storyline.
Chas embarked on an affair with Al Chapman earlier this year, and things have heated up recently - only for them to cool right down ahead of the 50th anniversary week.
Al has threatened to leave for good after Chas declared their secret fling was over, before he soon rushed to her aid during the deadly storm that left her injured.
With the affair possibly finally coming to light next week, actress Lucy told The Mirror and other press how viewers were just not on board with the storyline.
She revealed viewers hated them together, but also hated her character for what she was doing to her husband Paddy Kirk.
Lucy explained that cast members don't always like their storylines, but they have to believe in them and the path the writers have set for them.
She said of the backlash: "People are really, really not liking them together and you have got the cheerleaders for Al and Chas, but you've definitely got the absolute haters for Chas, and what she is doing to Paddy and the reasons behind what she is doing with Al.
"I hate what she's doing. We were never gonna win people over to Al and Chas when Paddy was involved."
Lucy went on: "You have to [believe it.] Over the years, the amount of stories that have been pitched and given to you that are a massive gift to have, but not all the time do you believe it. Not all the time can you justify it as yourself.
"You have to put yourself in the character's position and go okay it’s being pitched to me, this is what I've gotta do, I have to try to believe it.
"I don't have to necessarily like it personally, but as an actress or actor you have to find truth in it and just trust what your character has been given.
"And if the director or the producer or the writer is putting it your way, you have to suck up your own feelings about things sometimes, and just go well if that is what my character is doing I have to throw myself into it and believe it."
Al actor Michael Wildman also had his say on the viewer reaction to his character and the latest storyline.
He said: "They love to hate him. It's an awkward situation to be in. It's much easier for him because he’s got less to lose.
"Chas is married and she’s got a kid so I'm generally met with a raised eyebrow, and someone will say to me he's a naughty boy isn't he, but his love is genuine for Chas, I don't think there’s two ways about it."
Got any theories or thoughts on the current storylines? Let us know in the comments section below.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV Hub, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
