Emmerdale viewers remain furious over Lydia’s ‘disappointing’ storyline as she burns evidence of her rape in harrowing scene
Emmerdale viewers were left furious at the latest twist in Lydia Dingle’s gripping storyline as she burned the evidence of her rape.
On Wednesday’s episode, viewers watched Lydia order a taxi to her home and say she’d like to go to the police station after being raped by her childhood friend Craig.
But at the end of the episode, Lydia was seen running through the woods with a large bag of clothes.
She then laid them on the ground and set them on fire before bursting into tears.
Viewers were shocked by her actions, as the clothes she wore during the attack can no longer be used as evidence.
Ordeal: Emmerdale viewers were left furious at the latest twist in Lydia Dingle’s gripping storyline as she burned the evidence of her rape
Gripping: In Wednesday’s episode, viewers watched Lydia order a taxi to her home and say she’d like to go to the police station after being raped by her childhood friend Craig
Traumatic: But at the end of the episode you saw Lydia running through the woods with a big bag of clothes
On X/Twitter, a user wrote, “No Lydia! Don’t burn the evidence!’ while another added, “What, did she burn the evidence?”
A third viewer wrote, “Didn’t she go to the police station? I’m so confused,” while another said, “I washed away all the physical evidence and then burned clothes as well. It’s not that easy to prove he raped her now.’
Another wrote: ‘Burn the evidence! The route they’ve chosen for this story is so disappointing.”
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.
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. Craig later suggested, “Maybe we can make it a permanent thing?”
“For example, bring him a toy or some flowers on his birthday so he knows his parents are always thinking of him.”
Response: Viewers were shocked by her actions as the clothes she wore during the attack can no longer be used as evidence
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”.
Disgust: During Tuesday’s episode, Craig got mean and forced himself on Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes
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
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.
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.