ITV Emmerdale fans threaten to 'switch off' over 'distressing' April Windsor scene

Tonight's special episode of Emmerdale, which was centred around April Windsor (played by Amelia Flanagan) being trafficked in a heartwrenching county lines plot, left viewers alarmed as the teenager almost prostituted herself out to an older man in a desperate bid to pay back her debts from drug dealing. Celia Anderson (Jaye Griffiths) and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) have led April down an incredible dark path - but will her father, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), be able to save his daughter?

"With April at the mercy of the merciless drug dealers, we hope that her ever-present and worried father, Marlon, can get through to her," an Emmerdale spokesperson told Metro.co.uk.

Following the difficult episode, one fan wrote on X: "That scene right about the break was incredibly distressing. Well done, April, for getting away." A second wrote: " Emmerdale, as a 'soap' and a viewer for decades, I think you've gone too far with April's storyline."

Another threatened to switch off, adding: "I might actually turn this over if they turn this storyline into pimping out April #Emmerdale." Someone else penned: "This is dire, im switching off #emmerdale."

Despite the backlash, another fan said: "That episode really tugged on the heartstrings. Amazing performances from Amelia and Olivia [Bromley]."

Another remarked: "Tonight's episode was very good. Everyone did an amazing job!! Dawn and Joe's conversation playing with what is happening to April was fantastic."

A sixth said: "Well done on the April and Dawn story and about protecting our young against the vile types of our society."

Emmerdale usually airs on ITV and ITVX at 7.30pm on weeknights.

If you have been affected by this story, you can **contact the Samaritans, call 116 123, email **jo@samaritans.org or visithttps://www.samaritans.org/