Emmerdale viewers left TERRIFIED for Lydia Dingle and beg her to ‘listen to her instincts’ as ‘creepy’ Craig teases his true intentions

Emmerdale viewers were terrified of Lydia Dingle on Monday ahead of her upcoming rape storyline.

The beloved character (played by Karen Blick) has grown close to her would-be attacker Craig (Ben Addis) while bonding with their late son.

During the final episode, Lydia took her ex to the bridge where she scattered baby Toby’s ashes, with Craig later suggesting, “Maybe we could make it a regular thing?”

“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.

Scary: Emmerdale viewers were terrified of Lydia Dingle on Monday ahead of her upcoming rape storyline

Open Your Eyes: The beloved character (played by Karen Blick) is bonding with her soon-to-be attacker Craig (Ben Addis) while bonding with their late son

Open Your Eyes: The beloved character (played by Karen Blick) is bonding with her soon-to-be attacker Craig (Ben Addis) while bonding with their late son

On Twitter, one fan commented, “I’ve never been so eager to warn a fictional character about anything…the creepy Craig is going to attack you, Lydia!”.

With a second writing: ‘Honestly Lydia – you couldn’t get away from Creepy Craig fast enough – listen to what your instincts tell you – muppet!’.

A third commented, “LOh Lydia, you need to step back, he’s going to take all those signals the wrong way.

And, “Why is Craig so worried about the baby he didn’t know about until Lydia told him? He cannot be trusted’.

While another concluded, “Lydia is way too nice.”

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

The 48-year-old actress, who has played Lydia Dingle since 2016, shot devastating scenes for the plot where her character is attacked by ex-boyfriend Craig.

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.”

Concerned: A frightened Lydia was forced to flee after ex Craig appeared to show his true intentions

Concerned: A frightened Lydia was forced to flee after ex Craig appeared to show his true intentions

1693865577 294 Emmerdale viewers left TERRIFIED for Lydia Dingle and beg her

1693865580 826 Emmerdale viewers left TERRIFIED for Lydia Dingle and beg her

1693865582 747 Emmerdale viewers left TERRIFIED for Lydia Dingle and beg her

1693865584 428 Emmerdale viewers left TERRIFIED for Lydia Dingle and beg her

Speaking Out: Viewers used social media to express their feelings

Speaking Out: Viewers used social media to express their feelings

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.”

Crystal healing is an alternative medicine that uses stones under the belief that they have healing powers, but there is no scientific basis for this claim.

Karen also used a range of other methods to deal with the challenging storyline, including hypnotherapy and yoga.

Telling the publication, “I was eager to find healthy, productive coping mechanisms. I made sure I was in a good, strong, physical and psychological place to tackle this story.”

Meanwhile, the actress revealed she was left in tears and “begged” Emmerdale bosses to save her character from being raped after she was told the storyline.

Help: The scenes come after actress Karen revealed she used healing crystals to help her cope filming the gripping storyline

Help: The scenes come after actress Karen revealed she used healing crystals to help her cope filming the gripping storyline

Tough times: Karen said her friend gave her the gems to carry around during filming:

Tough times: 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 scenes

Remembering the moment she told The sun“My first reaction was, ‘Please don’t do this to Lydia. Please!”.

“I felt very protective of the character and was conflicted as an actor, because it’s an important story. It must be told. But then it’s a terrible thing that happens to someone you’re so close to, and the consequences for that character in the future.’

She further revealed how she and co-star James Hooton, who plays husband Sam, were heartbroken by the writer’s plans for the beloved character.

“We both had tears in our eyes. It was a very moving, powerful response. Certainly, emotionally it was the strongest reaction I’ve ever had to a potential story.’