Emmerdale airs most harrowing episode ever as villager suffers tragic stillbirth and pal is stabbed to death

EMMERDALE has aired perhaps its most harrowing episode ever - with a villager suffering a tragic stillbirth and their pal being stabbed to death.

A special instalment revealed April Windsor's (Amelia Flanagan) story since vanishing on Christmas Day.

5

5

5

Viewers learned she hitched a lift in a stranger's car and ended up at a hotel in Leeds.

April called several friends, in hope of a place to stay, but all turned her down.

Having run out of money, she had to sleep outside and was increasingly unsafe.

An opportunistic older man targeted April, but a boy named Dylan (Fred Kettle) intervened and saw him off.

Read more on Emmerdale

icy scenes

Emmerdale car crash horror puts lives at risk as limo crashes into frozen lake

a job lot

Emmerdale and Corrie axe 75 jobs as episodes are slashed in huge soaps shakeup

Dylan brought her to a run-down building, where they met up with his friend Becca (Becca Ashton).

The two later became April's protectors upon realising that she is pregnant.

Meanwhile, the episode explored the devastating impact of homelessness.

At one point, April and Becca begged members of the public for change, to little success.

Most read in Soaps

a job lot

Emmerdale and Corrie axe 75 jobs as episodes are slashed in huge soaps shakeup

ANGRY MAN

Phil Mitchell lashes out after being saved following suicide attempt

fire horror

Corrie favourite's life hangs in the balance in hospital after Platt house fire

SOAP SHOCK

Corrie and Emmerdale slash episodes in huge soap shake up amid ITV budget cuts

An obnoxious woman later accused April of feigning her situation, due the trainers she had on.

When a sly thief swiped their scarcely remaining cash, Becca swiftly gave chase.

In a tragic twist, April ultimately found her new friend stabbed in the street.

Both April and Dylan were left heartbroken by Becca's death - but it didn't end there.

She soon discovered that Dylan was making money though sex work and refused to accept cash from him.

A police raid later saw Dylan arrested while April fled, now left with nowhere to go.

In harrowing scenes, she was doubled over in pain while passers-by ignored her pleas for help.

April then gave birth to her stillborn baby in an dirty public toilet - and apologised over and over.

The episode ended with a defeated, weary April lying alone on a park bench.

Taking to X, a viewer wrote: "The @emmerdale April special, is gut wrenching, Amelia Flanagan is an absolute credit to the show, so much talent for such a young actress, she deserves many awards for this #Emmerdale."

Another penned: "Wow emmerdale tonight is a must watch poor April."

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

A third commented: "Oh... this episode.. poor April."

While a fourth posted: "I've just watched tonight's #Emmerdale! WOW! What a powerful episode. Didn't expect that twist in the middle.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

No Love Lost

Love Island couple in shock SPLIT just days after leaving the villa

NEWLY-SINGLE

Celebrity SAS star reveals shock split from his fiancée

"Poor April. Amelia Flanagan take a bow."

Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

5

5