Emmerdale leaves viewers horrified as Lydia Dingle is raped by her teenage lover Craig in harrowing scenes: ‘I just want to give her a big hug’

Emmerdale leaves viewers shocked as Lydia Dingle is raped by her teenage lover Craig in harrowing scenes: ‘I just want to give her a big hug’

  • Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk

Emmerdale fans were shocked after Tuesday’s episode, when Lydia Dingle was raped by her childhood friend.

Viewers were shocked to see the “brutal” scenes where Craig (Ben Addis) forced himself on Lydia (Karen Blick) despite her protests.

Lydia, who lost a baby with Craig when they were teenagers, was horrified to originally see him return to the village, but quickly bonded over their past.

But on Tuesday’s episode, Craig got nasty and forced himself on Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes.

Fans took to Twitter in a rage and upset after watching Lydia’s ordeal, with one admitting that while portraying the subject matter was “important,” the scenes were still “hard to watch.”

Terrified: Emmerdale fans were left disturbed after witnessing the horrific scenes of Lydia Dingle’s rape on Tuesday night’s episode

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Heartbreaking: Viewers were shocked to see the heartbreaking scene where her childhood friend Craig (Ben Addis) raped Reed Lydia (Karen Blick)

Some wrote: ‘Harrowing scenes tonight. Not easy for you, but well done. I hope Lydia takes him down.”

‘Come on #Emmerdale Lydia always speaks the truth – please let her go to the police’

“Poor Lydia, this is so heartbreaking”

‘Omg #Emmerdale was cruel tonight poor Lydia’

“Lydia at the end of the show.. I just want to give her a big hug”

“This Lydia story is heartbreaking.”

In recent episodes, viewers were terrified of Lydia Dingle ahead of the upcoming rape storyline.

On Monday, Lydia took her ex to the bridge where she scattered baby Toby’s ashes, with Craig later suggesting, “Maybe we can make it a permanent thing?”

Horrible: Lydia, who lost a baby with Craig when they were teenagers, was horrified to originally see him return to the village, but in recent episodes the pair have bonded over their past

Horrible: Lydia, who lost a baby with Craig when they were teenagers, was horrified to originally see him return to the village, but in recent episodes the pair have bonded over their past

Disgust: But during Tuesday's episode, Craig got mean and forced himself on Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes

Disgust: But during Tuesday’s episode, Craig got mean and forced himself on Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes

What is she going to do?  Fans hoped Lydia would go to the police to report Craig, while viewers saw her keep her clothes in a hidden bag to possibly report a later date.

What is she going to do? Fans hoped Lydia would go to the police to report Craig, while viewers saw her keep her clothes in a hidden bag to possibly report a later date.

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1694000033 652 Emmerdale leaves viewers horrified as Lydia Dingle is raped by

1694000035 681 Emmerdale leaves viewers horrified as Lydia Dingle is raped by

Disturbing: Fans took to Twitter furiously and upset after seeing the terrifying moment, with many admitting they found it hard to watch

Disturbing: Fans took to Twitter furiously and upset after seeing the terrifying moment, with many admitting they found it hard to watch

“For example, bring him a toy or some flowers on his birthday so he knows his parents are always thinking of him.”

An excited Lydia replied, “I’d really like that” before her former flame gave her a tight hug, making the cleaner so uncomfortable that she was forced to flee.

The scenes come after actress Karen revealed she used healing crystals to help her deal with filming the gripping storyline.

Karen recalled how a friend who works as a crystal healer reached out and offered their services to help her find a “healthy coping mechanism.”

Narrate The daily star “I’m really open-minded about this stuff and I thought, ‘Well, it can’t hurt. I’ll give it a try”.

Karen said her friend gave her the gems to carry around during filming: “I found it a helpful ritual to absorb some of the negative energy and some of the thoughts, feelings and emotions surrounding the scene.”

Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk.

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.