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Category: Episode Recaps

Is Belle dead? Blood on the door, no sign of her or Tom – it’s not looking good

Belle Dingle has gone missing in Emmerdale and Charity and Cain are worried after finding a trashed holiday cottage and blood where she was supposed to be – but is Belle dead?

Viewers know, and Charity suspects, Belle is in an abusive marriage with Tom King. But as the young couple ventured off on their holiday to ‘repair’ their relationship, something terrible seems to have happened.

Tomorrow night we will find out exactly what as flashbacks air to Tom and Belle’s week away. But for now, we’re left worried. Seriously worried. Is Belle dead? Is Tom dead? Are they both dead? What has happened?

Cain and Charity cannot believe the mess (Credit: ITV)

Belle and Tom disappear in Emmerdale

Heading off on their break without telling anyone, Belle and Tom have got Charity concerned. Meanwhile, an email to the vets has exposed Tom’s new job prospects and Belle also isn’t answering her phone.

She doesn’t actually have her phone, it turns out, because Tom stashed it in the drawer before they left and she couldn’t find it. Incidentally, it seems to be in the same drawer she hid her birth control pills, so maybe that should be dubbed the ‘official hiding place’ in their house and be the first place anyone looks.

Anyway, someone who did look in there was Charity after she persuaded Cain something wasn’t right. She’s told him Tom reminds her of Bails, and after she discovered Belle has not been attending her mental health appointments, decided to break in to their house.

Cain helped her and they were surprised to see the level of surveillance equipment inside. They also found Belle’s phone and Tom’s budget book showing his records of everything Belle spends.

It was enough to sound alarm bells and the pair hot-footed it to Wales to the cottage Belle and Tom were staying in.

Whose blood is it? (Credit: ITV)

Is Belle dead in Emmerdale?

The sight that greeted them was not a welcome one. The cottage was in darkness. It had been completely smashed up, “What the hell?” questioned Charity as they found the light switch.

Charity then discovered Belle’s discarded jumper and knew they were in the right place. But there was no sign of Belle.

As Cain looked around growing increasingly worried, Charity shouted: “What is that? Is that blood?” as the camera showed red stains on the door.

“Where is she?” Charity asked.

“Whatever he’s done, he’s a dead man,” said Cain. YES! This is what we’ve been waiting for.

But is he already a dead man? Is it Belle’s blood or Tom’s? Has Belle lashed out at last and done her abusive husband in? Or has Tom hurt Belle so badly she won’t survive?

Belle’s smile soon fades (Credit: ITV)

What happens next?

Tomorrow night (Wednesday July 24) flashbacks will show exactly what has happened between Tom and Belle.

When they first arrive at the cottage Belle is hopeful they will get back on track. But it’s not long before Tom starts mocking and manipulating. And when she then overhears him arranging to rent the cottage for longer than agreed, she is confused.

As the rest of the week unfolds, what should be a lovely, romantic getaway, turns into a terrifying ordeal for Belle and Piper. Will she escape Tom’s clutches? Or is this the end of Belle?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

23rd July 2024
Review of the week: Kim betrayed, Samson grows a backbone, and Tracy’s got a LOT to say

Emmerdale this week has been an easy one to review because it’s been all about people making some very questionable decisions!

Kim’s been dropped right in it by the people who are supposed to have her back, Samson’s finally done the right thing, but at what cost, and Tracy’s not exactly happy to see Ella.

Here’s our review of the week in Emmerdale.

We loved the flash of the old Kim we saw this week (Credit: ITV)

Kim betrayed in our Emmerdale review!

Since she arrived in the village, Rose has been on a mission to split Kim and Will up. She’s working on behalf of vengeful Ruby. We have no idea how Ruby and Rose ever crossed paths, how Ruby even knew who Rose was, or why Ruby’s so bothered about Kim when it seems Caleb’s not fussed now.

But that’s beside the point. This week, Rose put her plan to make Kim think she’d seduced Will into action, when she was given drugs to drop into his drink. Except, the plan went a bit awry as Dawn and Kim arrived just as Rose was pouring the drinks, Will got the glasses muddled up and it was Dawn who ended taking the drugged drink.

She crashed her car on the way to hospital but luckily wasn’t hurt. But she immediately decided it had to have been Kim who spiked her drink.

We’re not completely sure how she came to that conclusion because as far as we could see, Kim was nowhere near the bottle when it was opened and poured. But Dawn pointed the finger, Rose went with it and even paid the drug dealer to come and demand cash from a bewildered Kim as evidence. Now everyone thinks Kim’s guilty and she’s moved out.

Frustration!

It’s all a bit frustrating to be honest, except for one thing. When Kim arrived at the B&B and mentioned Will paying for his betrayal, we saw a glint of something in her eye that we liked! We spotted a flash of the old Kim Tate. Remember her? The one who left a man to die and who wouldn’t let a loser like Rose walk all over her.

So we’re not totally on board with this badly plotted, confusing Ruby/Rose revenge story. But if it brings back the legend that is Kim Tate, then we’re giving it a big thumbs up!

Is Josh really that scary? (Credit: ITV)

Samson did the right thing – finally!

While we’re on the subject of things not making a whole lot of sense in this Emmerdale review, here’s something else confusing.

Samson’s determination to leave his sort-of-cousin Matty behind bars in case he upset his new friend of six weeks, Josh, had been making us scratch our heads.

Except this week Samson casually mentioned that Josh has scary brothers (erm, Samson – you’ve got an entire scary family, babe). We’re not sure if these scary brothers are the ones Dr Liam saw off by himself outside the pub? If so, we reckon Samson’s going to be just fine.

Anyway, thank goodness, the young Dingle has finally seen sense and admitted what happened when Matty was stabbed. That means Matty’s out of jail and it looks like Samson’s going to be banged up himself. But will Josh and his – ahem – terrifying band of brothers also face justice? We hope so!

Tracy’s got real beef with Ella (Credit: ITV)

Tracy got a bee in her bonnet

Ella’s back in Emmerdale and frankly we’re delighted! We love Paula Lane. And we quite like the idea of a child killer living quietly in the village with everyone waiting on tenterhooks to see what she might do next. (Though it would probably be more dramatic if Emmerdale wasn’t already home to not one, not two, but THREE murderers who’d killed before they’d done their GCSEs).

Anyway, pleased as we are to see Ella back, we’re a bit bewildered by Tracy Robinson‘s reaction. She’s got a right bee in her bonnet about the one-time killer being welcomed into the village. Plus she’s upset about Ella stealing the vet receptionist job from under Tracy’s nose! Which would all be totally understandable were it not for the fact that Kerry Wyatt and her daughter Amy KILLED Tracy and Vanessa’s dad, Frank.

They were completely, unquestionably responsible for the factory fire that led to Frank’s death. They have Frank’s blood on their mucky hands. And yet, Tracy seems totally fine with that. She’s not fussed about those killers wandering round the village. (Actually, now we’re thinking about it, there are a LOT of murderers in Emmerdale. It’s quite a dangerous place to hang out). Maybe someone needs to remind her what the Wyatts did?

Laurel’s way too good for Jai (Credit: ITV)

Hooray for Laurel!

Lauren can often seem like a bit of a wet blanket. We know though, that behind her sweet exterior is something different. She has a rock-hard, steely determination that saw her nurse Ashley through his dementia, and beat her alcoholism. And this week, she finally realised just how awful her deadbeat husband Jai is – and turfed him out! YAY, Laurel!

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

20th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Ella back for good, Tom stepped up his exit

Emmerdale tonight, and there was conclusive proof that Kim Tate really has had a total personality transplant – as she offered to move out of her own home to allow her ‘family’ to stay there…

(Or was there…?)

Kim ‘caught out’

As we joined the final episode of the week, the fighting at Home Farm continued over who had spiked Dawn’s drinks, with Billy the only one defending poor Kim.

Dawn was still absolutely convinced that Kim had spiked her Fauxsecco, leading to the head-on collision with Ella. Her motive? To try and make Rose look bad – like she needs any help – and turn everyone against her.

“Yes, Iâ€™ve behaved badly in the past but don’t judge me on that, judge me on the love Iâ€™ve shown you since we became a family,” Kim pleaded.

However, her fate appeared sealed when a man turned up at Home Farm and bellowed at Kim: “Think you can pull a fast oneâ€¦ that gear I sold you, I want paying.”

What no one knew – apart from Rose – was that this man was her shady contact and she’d called him in to set Kim up.

Dawn announced that her children weren’t safe in the house and, as soon as Billy was back from the hospital with Ethan, they’d be moving to a holiday let.

“Evan needs a sterile environment, I refuse to jeopardise this familyâ€™s safety,” Kim protested. “So Iâ€™ll be the one who leaves here.”

Later, Lydia found it incredulous that Kim was seemingly allowing Rose to ride rough shod over her life and self-respect.

However Kim assured her: “Iâ€™m playing the long game, whatever she is up to sheâ€™ll expose herself soon enough and when she does, Iâ€™ll pounce.”

Phew, there she is!

In Emmerdale tonight Ella had another awkward run-in with Dr Liam (Credit: ITV)

Ella’s second chance

Over at the cafe Mandy was enjoying a quiet drink – with Ella. Out of hospital, the child killer was back in the village.

Knowing that she’s pregnant, Mandy wanted to help her try and get her life onto some sort of track.

“Bit terrifying though, coming back to a place where everyone knows what I did,” Ella admitted.

And with impeccable timing, Liam walked in, demanding to know what she was doing there.

Mandy chided him for being so rude, but he hit back: “She lied to me, she deceived me in the cruelest way possible, I just don’t want her here, the sooner she’s gone, the better.”

But Mandy had other ideas, arranging an interview for the role of vet receptionist for her – which incensed Tracy who was after the same job.

When Paddy announced Ella had got the position due to having better skills, Tracy clapped back: “Skills like what, killing her best friend?”

Tracy invited Liam to support her in her protest about Ella coming back to village life but he responded: “Iâ€™ve no opinion on the matter just as long as she stays away from me.”

Will he change his mind when he learns the pregnancy news?

Tom shared his plan for a ‘holiday’ with wife Belle (Credit: ITV)

Tom took Belle to Wales

Meanwhile, Tom stepped up his terrifying plan to isolate Belle from her friends and family by telling her he’d booked the dream cottage in Pembrokeshire he’d recently shown her for a surprise break – and they were leaving immediately.

It meant Belle missing a special Dingle meal to cheer up Matty, but Tom kicked her right in the conscience, saying: “I thought itâ€™d be healing for us… after the termination.”

Tom then made Belle leave her phone at home, arguing all they needed was each other and puppy Piper.

What Belle doesn’t know is that Tom has secured a second interview for the vet job in the remote Welsh countryside – and he’s planning for them to stay there…

What did you think of Emmerdale tonight?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

19th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Matty was freed, Jai moved out of Laurel’s

Emmerdale tonight was an hour long, after the soap missed an episode on ITV last night – and there was drama galore!

Top of the list was Matty’s release from prison. Everyone else was so happy to see him a free man but he was in a state of trauma.

Samson has so far refused to grass up Josh (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale tonight: Matty’s free but is Samson going inside?

The same day started dramatically differently for two Dingle households, with Sam and Lydia having another blazing row, while Moira was feeling positive about Matty’s future.

Sam had convinced himself that Samson would be heading inside for lying about the stabbing.

“It’s only a matter of time before they charge him, and not just with what he’s confessed to but for lying in the first place, perverting the course of justice.

“You’ve got no idea what you’ve done, either of you,” he snapped at his wife and son.

Samson replied that he knew his dad had hit Cain, but no one else was to blame for what had happened – and then laid down a bizarre challenge.

“Go on, hit me. It might make you feel better,” he said.

“It’s a bit late for that now,” Sam replied mournfully.

When alone with Lydia, Sam finally admitted: “I won’t turn my back on him, but Cain was right, after what he’s done I’m ashamed to call him my son. Maybe I was too soft on him, somewhere along the line I’ve failed him.
“Nothing I can do now, he’s on his own, and no idea what’s coming his way.”

Later, Matty did indeed walk from prison – and a tense run-in with Samson ensued.

“I wouldn’t wish prison on anyone,” Matty said and, assuming Samson’s fate was already sealed, added: “Just keep your head down and your mouth shut – and tell the truth, you can’t let someone like Josh get away with it.”

Hmmm, all these hints at Samson not having a clue what’s about to hit him… will he be exiting the village permanently – and in a wooden box?

In Emmerdale tonight Laurel got a shock when Archie declared he wanted to live with her over his dad (Credit: ITV)

Laurel and Jai at war?

The rain cloud reached Laurel and Jai’s house in Emmerdale tonight, where they agreed to tell all their kids about their split – although he was definitely still trying to avoid it.

“So soon after your heart attack… it’s a lot for them,” he pleaded. But Laurel had no intention of changing her mind.

With Arthur away in Australia, the former couple broke the news to Archie and Dotty at home, who took it as well as small children could.
And with that chore ticked off the list, Laurel moved on to the next: Operation Get Jai out of the House.
Jai reluctantly agreed to move back into his family home, assuming Archie would be right by his side – “He’s my son, Laurel, where I go he goes.”

However, Archie had other plans – staying put with Laurel and his ‘sister’, as he cutely called Dotty.

Emmerdale tonight: Rose stepped up her plan – but, er, what actually is it?

Whether he’s secretly finding Rose a temptation under his roof or genuinely wants her gone, Will tells his ex that it’s time she found somewhere else to rest her head.

But Rose has no intention of moving on and protested that Dawn and the kids like having her at home, and her leaving would just punish them.

Later, she was briefly on a call to Bali, where Ruby is on holiday, telling her they need to move their plan on.

Before the day was out, a shady stranger handed Rose a brown envelope that contained a small bottle with clear liquid in it.

“Careful, there’s enough there to put an elephant down,” the mystery man warned. “You’ll receive further instructions in due course.”

Is murder afoot? Or a plan to drug Will to get him into a compromising position?

Liam doth protest too much about being happy single (Credit: ITV)

Liam and Chas kissing in a tree?

Elsewhere the village’s GPs Manpreet and Liam idly chatted about their disastrous love lives.
While Manpreet subscribed to the old adage the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, Liam was resolute that – with his track record – he’s better off staying single.

His colleague protested that he clearly had unfinished business with Chas (Lucy Pargeter) after their one-night stand.
And she’d clearly hit on something as, when Chas later suggested they have a drink together, he happily agreed.

What did you think of Emmerdale tonight?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.Â

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

17th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Sam thumped Cain, Rose snogged Will

Emmerdale tonight echoed the mood of the nation with Cain feeling fragile after drowning his sorrows following Englandâ€™s defeat in the Euros.

And there wasnâ€™t much cheer elsewhere in the village, as relationships crumbled left, right and centre.

Sam stupidly took a swing at Cain in Emmerdale tonight (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale tonight: Sam and Samson’s get-away plan thwarted

Having warned his son he’d have to run away in Friday’s episode, Sam confirmed his escape plans for Samson.

He’d booked a ferry, and would sell Samson’s late mum Alice’s wedding ring so he’d have some funds.

“Youâ€™re going away where no one can find you,’ Sam said – just as Lydia approached them.

She was furious to discover their plot and told her husband: “What about Matty? Samsonâ€™s just gonna leave the poor boy to rot?”

“Samson comes first. Iâ€™m getting him out of hereâ€¦ don’t try to stop me,” Sam bellowed back.

Later, Lydia challenged Samson, warning that running away might just make things worse for him – namely people realising he’d been lying.

“Samson Dingle goes on his hols, canâ€™t be contactedâ€¦ nothing suspicious there,” she mocked.

In a last ditch attempt to make her stepson do the right thing, she said: “Think about itâ€¦ do you think youâ€™ll be able to live with yourself, knowing someone else is inside because of what youâ€™ve done?

“The only thing Matty is guilty of is defending himself against you.”

It did the trick as Samson headed to the police station and finally told the truth… Potentially good news for Matty, but a disaster in waiting or Sam and Lydia’s marriage?

Sam saw red, screaming at his wife: “Why the hell did you make him do this? Don’t you realise whatâ€™s going to happen to him? Heâ€™s going inside.

“I had it sorted, but you couldn’t have that could you?

“Iâ€™ll never forgive you for this.”

And Sam appeared ready to burn more bridges as he argued with Cain, who accused him of always being too soft on his son.

Cain then made the mistake of bringing up Alice as he declared “her son’s a deadbeat and her dad let it happen”.

With that, Sam took a swing at him… not many men would be brave – or in Sam’s case stupid – enough to try that!

Rose made her move on her ex (Credit: ITV)

Rose a thorn in Will’s side

Meanwhile at Home Farm, Will told Billy he knew that Kim had been covering for him and warned: “In future, do not do stupid stuff.”

“That was good of you, supporting the Missus,” Kim acknowledged.

Will replied: “I admit Iâ€™ve been hard on youâ€¦ you should have put me six foot under.” Er, he does know what happened to her husband, Frank, right?

Later Rose revealed that she’d overheard the conversation and thanked Kim for her protection of Dawn.

And, in her own show of support, she declared: “Iâ€™m stopping the booze, I want to be a bit more present for Dawn and the kids.”

“At least the brandy bill will go down,” Kim deadpanned.

Of course, viewers know that Rose is up to no good and she was later on the phone to her mystery person, saying: “I got some Brownie points yesterday but I don’t know.”

Will interrupted the and Rose decided to up her game, telling him softly: “I still can’t believe Iâ€™m here sometimes with you, my daughter, my grandchildren.”

Then she planted one on her ex!

“What is wrong with you?” came Will’s response. “I did not encourage thatâ€¦ what was it, one moment of madness?

“You have to understand that I love my wife* and nothing is gonna stand in the way of that.”

*Wife? Or fancy car, big house and designer gear? The jury’s still out on that one, Will!

Laurel’s moving on

Jai was left feeling hopeful that he and Laurel can move past their issues after her heart attack, as she told him it was time to leave things in the past.Â

But what she actually meant by ‘things’ was their relationship.

“I think itâ€™s time to tell the kids weâ€™re splitting up,” she declared. Awkward!

What did you think of Emmerdale tonight?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.Â

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

15th July 2024
Review of the week: Dawn whinges, Matty left terrified and finally some laughs from Mandy and Rhona

It’s been a complicated week in Emmerdale as we review everything that’s gone one. Things have been looking bleak for Matty in prison, Dawn is struggling to cope with Evan’s illness, and Lydia made an awful realisation.

But there has been one unexpected moment of fun in among all the misery.

Here’s what’s been going on.

Dawn forgot Clemmie’s birthday because of all her moaning (Credit: ITV)

Dawn and Billy’s anguish

It’s been tough seeing Dawn and Billy coping with baby Evan’s leukaemia diagnosis. This week things got even trickier for the pair when Billy broke the protective ‘bubble’ at Home Farm and the little lad ended up back in hospital with a temperature.

It’s not been easy for Dawn and Billy – and it’s not easy for us viewers either! In fact, this whole storyline feels like a slog. Dawn’s a devoted mum, doing her best, but she’s being a bit, well, annoying. Surely it’s unrealistic to expect a whole family to put their lives on hold for what could be years? Kim can’t run weddings at Home Farm, putting a big dent in their income. Billy can’t do his personal training, even Clemmie and Lucas are being half-heartedly home-schooled, by people who don’t know what a fronted adverbial is or how to calculate 10 per cent of something.

And by the end of the week, Dawn had even forgotten Clemmie’s birthday (which seems unlikely, to be honest, as she loves her daughter fiercely), giving Rose a chance to save the day, while Kim was out in the cold.

Sadly we feel Dawn’s constant whining is making us far less sympathetic to what should be a heart-wrenching story.

Amy dropped Matty right in it (Credit: ITV)

Matty’s torment

There’s not much happiness in the Dales this week and Matty’s prison horror is heaping misery on the misery. This week, his wife Amy accidentally landed him in it when she inadvertently revealed he was trans to prison bully Robbo.

The next thing we saw was poor Matty battered and bruised in the prison infirmary. Though shockingly, he admitted he’d asked his cellmate Les to beat him up as hospital was the only place he feels safe. It’s a tricky situation for Matty, there’s no doubt. He’s determined to stay put in the cell, but frankly we reckon if it was us in that situation, we’d be running to that isolation wing as fast as our legs would carry us.

And there is a bright side to Matty’s torment – at least while he’s banged up, he doesn’t have to listen to Dawn whining, eh?

Samson is more scared of Josh than he is of Moira, which frankly seems a bit stupid (Credit: ITV)

Kidnap!

Meanwhile ferocious mum Moira was on the warpath, trying to force the truth out of Samson. She even went as far as kidnapping the lying lad – with some help from brother Mack – in an attempt to get him to admit Matty didn’t stab him.

But no, Samson’s staying schtum for now at least. In fact, he even managed to persuade Moira he was going to confess and instead he dropped her right in it with the police! What a snake!

We can’t help thinking Samson’s not being especially savvy. Is he really more scared of Josh than he is of Moira? Moira who killed Emma Barton and let her son take the blame? That Moira? Foolish choice, Samson. Foolish!

Lydia’s on to Samson now,Â though, and she can be just as fierce as Moira, though a lot less handy with her fists, so we reckon it’s only a matter of time before Samson fesses up. Which is good news for those of us who are finding new, evil bestie Josh, intensely annoying!

Mandy and Rhona have become firm friends overnight! (Credit: ITV)

I’ll tell you what I want

Rhona and Mandy’s odd feud seemed a bit forced at first and we weren’t totally on board with it. BUT! What we were totally on board with was the making up. The pair were set up by barmaid Gail after Marlon and Paddy begged her to sort out the beef between them.

And it worked! Before long, the women were necking drinks and sharing stories, and heading into town. In fact, we didn’t see them again until they were staggering home in the early hours – crossing paths with Moira and Mack who’d been at the cop shop.

When Rhona woke up at Paddy and Mandy’s later, she was in a bad way! She even discovered she had a sore back. “What did I do?” she asked. What she did – apparently – was get a tattoo of a Spice Girl! Possibly, Posh. Maybe Sporty. Mandy wasn’t sure. Either way, it was some much-needed light-relief in the midst of all this week’s misery!

Zig-ah-zig-ah, indeed.

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

13th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Stupid Samson finally confessed and stupider Sam advised he run away

Emmerdale tonight, and it was the morning after too-many-drinks the night before.

Few things on TV are as cringe as actors playing drunk, because most do it tremendously badly – with the exception of Natalie J Robb’s Moira in Emmerdale – and Steve McFadden as EastEnders’ alcoholic Phil.Â

And in tonight’s trip to the village, viewers were confronted with awkward â€˜comedyâ€™ scenes of Mandy and Rhona returning disheveled, stumbling and slurry from a night out on the lash.Â

The pain continued as they headed back to Paddyâ€™s, and Rhona discovered sheâ€™d had a tattoo of a Spice Girl inked on her backâ€¦ Mandy chirped: “It looks like Posh but from this angle it could be Mel C, whatever sheâ€™s got a big nose.”

Why? All so Mandy could work out Rhona isn’t boring after all, it seems.

Pass me a drink!

Lydia finally confronted Samson over hies lies with Josh (Credit: ITV)

Samson and Sam – Stupid and Stupider strike again

The actual laugh in Emmerdale tonight came courtesy of Sam, who straight-faced declared, “Itâ€™s a good job the police got to her before I did, I can tell you that,” as Samson snivelled about Moira kidnapping and threatening him.

Sam Vs Moira? He’d be weeing in his wellies at the mere thought of her Glasgow kiss.

Meanwhile, Natalie J Robb was pulling at the heartstrings again with her faultless 360 portrayal of Moira as she implored Lydia to accept Samson was lying – and convince him to do the right thing.

“Mother to mother, I know what Iâ€™m asking is a lot. But Iâ€™ve already buried one child, please don’t let me bury another,” Moira sobbed.

Lydia strained: “Samson is like a son to me and you’re asking me to turn him in.”

But, never knowingly not doing the right thing, she later told her stepson: “Iâ€™ve fought your corner every step of the way, supported you, so if thereâ€™s something you’re not telling us, say. Now.”

With that, Samson finally cracked and confessed.

As Lydia ran off in horror, telling Samson she’s never felt so disappointed and ashamed of him, the teen turned to his dad for advice.

“Dad, what am I going to do?” Samson whined.

“Run, get away from here, it’s the only way I can help you,” he replied.

Your Dad of the Year trophy’s in the post, Sam.

Kim arrived home to find a party in her house – with no invitation for her (Credit: ITV)

Who’s kidnapped the real Kim Tate?

While it’s been interesting to see Emmerdale’s iconic Ice Queen melting a little in her autumn years, her backbone is now in danger of full-on crumbling.

She’s allowing stepdaughter Dawn and her prodigal mother to walk all over her – in her own country manor!

Tonight, Rose took advantage of Dawn being annoyed with Kim for ‘bursting the bubble’ – allowing germs into the house – to weasel her way further into her daughter and ex-husband’s affections.

Kim was excluded from Clemmie’s birthday party. In her house.

Her response? “It’s nice to know where one stands.”

This from a woman who faked her own death to avenge her son’s poisoning plot.

Kim needs to have a word with herself, fast. Mellowing we can live with, turning into a melt, we cannot.

Just friends

Charles told Manpreet that their bunk-up in last night’s episode had been a one-off and if being just friends now would be weird for her, he’d understand.

Her lips said friends was just fine, but her eyes told a different story – suggesting a whole new plot around Mapreet. Will she suddenly turn into a bunny boiling ex? (It’s in the genes, after all.)

What did you think of Emmerdale tonight?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

12th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Moira arrested after Samson ‘snitch-up’

Itâ€™s been messing up the soap schedules… but is football finally coming home? Let’s just say it stands a much, much better chance than poor Matty Barton after his family’s latest desperate attempt to get him out of jail in Emmerdale tonight.

Emmerdale tonight: Moira a Mob boss in the making

In Thursday’s hour-long visit to the Dales, Moira (played by Natalie J Robb) couldn’t bear what’s happening to her son and decided to go all Glasweegie gangster – with what appeared to be EastEnders bad boys Grant and Phil Mitchell tucked down her top for moral support – on Samson’s ass.

She and Mack ‘escorted’ Samson from the Dingles’ place to Butlers’ farm, where they ‘encouraged’ him to tell the police the truth that Josh attacked Matty, in an attempt to get him off and get him to safety.

Moira motioned to (albeit half-heartedly) strangle the teen Dingle, before he agreed to the plan.

“I won’t forget this, you’re saving Matty’s life,” she told Samson, as he insisted on heading into the cop shop alone, after his aunt insisted on driving him there.

RED ALERT MOIRA! RED ALERT!

Later, the police arrived and Moira and Mack were in shock to discover what all viewers had figured out 15 minutes earlier – snivelling Samson had doubled crossed her!

The local plod arrested M & M on suspicion of kidnapping and imprisonment – and Mamma Barton once again reminded us why she’s a soap icon as she calmly kissed her boys goodbye as though she was heading out to buy bread.

With Matty now looking even more like he’s toast.

The look of let’s be friends this is not (Credit: ITV Emmerdale)

Friends with baggage

Elsewhere, there was a refreshingly grown-up conversation between exes Charles and Manpreet as they opened up about why their relationship actually started to go wrong a long time ago – and agreed it was lovely they could be friends. Before then ending up in bed together.

Charles couldn’t wait to make his exit afterwards as doe-eyed Manpreet said, “I’ll see you again soon then for a drinkâ€¦ or something.” The look on her face suggested that ‘something’ she had in mind isn’t Scrabble.

Friend-ing with benefits with the grieving ex that harshly dumped her… what could possibly go wrong?

Has Kim’s kindness to Billy just made her own life unbearable? (Credit: ITV)

Kim’s kindness an awful foreshadowing?

There was more anxious pacing at Home Farm as gravely ill baby Evan was admitted to hospital with an infection. Dawn was on the warpath convinced that husband Billy was to blame after he supposedly returned home from a job in Bristol, bringing with him the offending germs.

Thankfully only Kim knew that job in Bristol was actually a booze-up with Nate and, as Dawn took Billy on a very long guilt trip, Kim stepped in to suggest she had brought the infection about after meeting a client.

Dawn branded her stepmother selfish and stupid before spitting cryptically, “She’s not getting away with this.”

In another room, meanwhile, Kim assured Billy: “Let her have a big rant about the big, bad witch. She can shout and scream at me all she likes. It’ll all calm down once Evan is better.”

Will the words ‘once Evan is better’ come back to haunt her – and tear the family apart?

What did you think of Emmerdale tonight?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.Â

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

11th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Matty beaten, Billy messed up

Emmerdale tonight saw things get worse for Matty when he was taken to hospital after a beating. But things weren’t as they seemed when the end of the episode revealed a huge twist about the attack.

Also, Billy messed up by getting drunk while out with Nate. Kim covered for him, but will it cost her?

Here’s everything that happened in Emmerdale tonight (Tuesday July 9).

Matty is in a dangerous situation (Credit: ITV)

Matty beaten to a pulp

In his prison cell Matty couldn’t sleep and was panicking about Les leaving him all alone. Matty tried to put on a brave face, told Les it was brilliant and he would be all right.

Robbo continued to torment Matty calling him ‘Barbie’ and ‘freak’. Matty then confided in a prison guard who said they’d do everything they could to keep him safe. She offered to remove him to segregation, but he refused, not wanting to be locked up with rapists and paedophiles.

Meanwhile, back at home Amy and Moira were worried they hadn’t had their lunchtime call from Matty. When the phone rang, they found out he’d been rushed to hospital.

They raced down there and saw he’d been beaten to a pulp. Matty broke the news to Amy that she was to blame due to her loose lips. Moira was fuming and suggested Amy just punch him herself. Matty defended Amy, insisting it was just a mistake. He then confessed he wanted to stay in hospital as it’s the only place he’s not frightened all the time.

Moira did apologise to Amy back home, but it was clear she blamed herself anyway, claiming: “I might have signed his death warrant.”

At the hospital, Les came to visit. Not sure that would be allowed, but still, he was kind and caring. And then it was revealed Matty had actually got Les to beat him up so he could get out of prison and stay in hospital. But in fact, he was going back to the wing in a day, so it had “all been for nothing.”

And with Les gone, it looks like things are going to get a whole lot worse for Matty now…

Kim covered for Billy as she felt sorry for him (Credit: ITV)

Billy messed up in Emmerdale tonight

Kim tried to reassure Billy over what happened with Evan’s meds, but Dawn wasn’t as forgiving. She wouldn’t let Billy administer Evan’s drugs that morning, and she firmly told Kim to clean herself up after tending to her horses. She’s a braver woman than us, speaking to Kim Tate like that!

As Billy continued to beat himself up, Nate offered to take him for a pint. Billy refused due to Evan’s immune system. But Nate was a good mate and set up a socially distanced get together at – where else – the cricket pavilion!

Billy offloaded his woes to Nate, who tried to offer counsel. He advised him to confide in Dawn, but Billy wasn’t keen.

Back at home, Dawn was furious with Billy for going AWOL. Nate had to take a very drunk Billy home and fortunately it was Kim who met them. She covered for Billy, texting Dawn from his phone to say he was out all night so Billy could sleep it off. Go Kim.

Jai tried to win Laurel over

Gabby was fuming to see Jai still at the house, she told him he was moving out. Jai insisted he was still Laurel’s husband and wasn’t moving out until she told him to.

Laurel then came home and was pleased to see the kids, but Jai tried to take over. He said he’s moved into Archie’s room, but he and Laurel agreed the kids needed some normality so he didn’t need to move out yet.

Ruby is not backing down (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale tonight: Ruby forced Rose to continue

After a run in with Kim Tate in the village, Ruby met up with Rose to discuss The Plot. She explained she and Caleb were going away for a bit as Rose tried to get out of the plan.

But Ruby wanted answers over Rose fulfilling her end of the bargain. Rose confessed she was enjoying getting close to Dawn and she wasn’t comfortable. She insisted she needed to keep her grandson safe. But Ruby told her she owed her and needed to get it done.

Will Rose go through with it?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

9th July 2024
What happened in Emmerdale tonight: Samson told more lies, Matty exposed

In Emmerdale tonight (Monday July 8) Samson spun more tall tales about his plan to leave the village, but Moira was determined to stop him.

Elsewhere, Matty was put in terrible danger – by his own wife, when Amy made an awful mistake.

Here’s everything that went down in Emmerdale tonight.

Moira is not letting Samson go (Credit: ITV)

Moira tried to stop Samson’s exit plan

Mack arrived at Butlers farm to break the news Josh and Samson are leaving sooner rather than later. Moira stormed round to the Dingles’ to confront Samson. She told Sam he was doing a runner and they got into a huge argument.

Sam then went to see Samson and find out what was going on. He tried to make Samson see he couldn’t run away. Playing the victim Samson made out he had to leave as he was scared of what Cain and Moira would do to him if he stayed. He claimed he’d be home for the trial. And Sam couldn’t see through his son’s lies and agreed to support his decision.

Meanwhile, Moira returned to the Dingles’ when it was empty and started rifling through drawers – she was trying to find Samson’s passport and couldn’t locate it. Can she find another way to keep him in the country?

Matty was all smiles, but not for long (Credit: ITV)

Matty in danger after Emmerdale tonight

Amy visited Matty in prison, who was in brighter spirits. He explained he’d told Les the truth and he was great about it. Amy was also feeling positive as she revealed they’d hired Kyle’s solicitor and they felt confident they’d get Matty out.

When the visit ended, Matty went back to his cell, but Amy was caught on the way out – by Robbo. But he was pretending to be Les. And Amy let slip that Matty is trans. She left with a smile on her face and absolutely no idea what she’d done…

Back in the prison, Robbo waltzed into Matty’s cell and revealed he’d spoken to Amy. Matty was clearly terrified as Robbo revealed he knew Matty was trans. Fortunately Les came back at the right time and stopped Robbo doing anything to him.

Les warned Matty to be careful, but Matty tried not to be too worried – after all, he’s got Les to protect him, right? Wrong! Les is being released – tomorrow. Matty is totally on his own. And frankly, it’s hard not to fear for his safety. Will he survive?

Laurel still wants Jai gone

Nicola was lording it up over Jai and told him to stay away from Laurel. Jai confided in Caleb and both admitted that their relationships were in tatters and both Nicky and Suni were blocking their calls.

Jai continued to defy Laurel’s orders and took her clothes to the hospital. When Nicola arrived she locked horns with Jai and Laurel had to pull them apart.

Jai left with his tail between his legs, however back in the village, Caleb was having a little more success solving his own marital woes.

Ruby and Caleb decided to leave in Emmerdale tonight

Still rowing about Nicky’s departure, Caleb couldn’t do right for doing wrong. Ruby constantly laid into him about never showing their son any love or affection.

Caleb eventually broke down and admitted he was a terrible dad. He said he hated himself for it. And he had to pack Nicky’s stuff away because it was too painful to see it around the house.

Caleb told Ruby he didn’t want to lose her and she agreed. They decided to go to Bali on holiday to think about themselves and work on their marriage. She also said they need to let Nicky go for now.

Wish we could swan off to Bali every time we’re having a bad week. See you soon, Miligans.

Will Billy ever get it right? (Credit: ITV)

Dawn dismissed Billy

Dawn was caring for Evan when Billy and Clemmie came in. Billy was ready to take over after Dawn had been up all night with their son, but she seemed reluctant to leave her baby’s side.

Billy wanted to be useful and offered to do Evan’s medication, but he spat it up. Dawn immediately took over and refused to show Billy what he’d done wrong. He clearly felt useless, but Billy is the last person on Dawn’s mind right now. She did little to reassure him later either.

Will Dawn ever see she’s not the only one going through this?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

8th July 2024