Emmerdale fans were left emotional on Wednesday night as it was revealed that Charity Dingle had a secret son, born after she was raped as a teenager. The long-serving character, played by Emma Atkins, broke down in tears after pulling out a box of baby keepsakes, hinting at a dark new storyline.
The revelation came after Charity ended her relationship with girlfriend Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick), who had reported Charity's historical sex abuse without her consent. In the final scene, Charity retreated to her bedroom, clutching the baby items as the credits rolled.
Viewers took to Twitter to express their shock and sadness, with many wondering whether Charity had given the child away. One fan wrote: 'Wow the last scene was so emotional,' while another asked: 'So did Charity lose a baby boy or give him away?' Others praised Atkins' performance, calling it 'phenomenal'.
The storyline follows Charity's disclosure on Tuesday that she was groomed and raped by DI Bails at the age of 14, leading to a pregnancy. Reports suggest Charity will eventually come face-to-face with her son, now an adult. A source told The Sun: 'She gave up her son, which she's never revealed before, just days after he was born because he was conceived during a rape. It is going to open up a load of old heartbreak for her.'
Emmerdale continues on Thursday at 7pm and 8pm on ITV.
