EMMERDALE actress Emma Atkins has been hiding a huge secret – she is nearly
eight months pregnant.
Viewers tuned in last night to see her alter ego Charity Macey get a two-year
jail sentence for insurance fraud.
The shock twist was penned by the soap’s bosses after Emma revealed last year
she is expecting her first child.
She and businessman partner Tom are over the moon about starting a family and
the show led a military-style operation to keep it under wraps.
An Emmerdale source said: “She’s been hiding her baby news from everyone
outside of the show.
“No one has guessed she’s pregnant so didn’t see Charity’s prison sentence
coming. Everyone assumed she would get away with it like she has so many
times in the past.
“But the fact that Emma is pregnant gave the writers a perfect opportunity to
finally punish Charity. She’s going to be rotting in jail for at least a
year.”
Emma was determined not to let her pregnancy slow her down and was three
months pregnant when she filmed the show’s horror cottage scenes last year.
Charity was left fighting for her life when her demon husband Declan, played
by Jason Merrells, tried to kill her.
In the story, she was hit over the head, chased in woods and almost drowned.
The source said: “Emma was never going to slow down and the fact she’s been at
the forefront of the show shows what a true professional she is.
“Now she’s got a new challenge!”
— EMMERDALE is up for Best Soap at the National TV Awards
tonight. Vote lines close at noon. See .