Emmerdale’s Jonathan Wrather who plays evil Pierce says he’s determined to deepen the rift between Rhona and Vanessa as fans think he could KILL her

EMMERDALE actor Jonathan Wrather, who plays evil Pierce Harris, says his character's controlling behaviour is "going to get worse" as he tries to cause a rift between Rhona Goskirk and best friend Vanessa Woodfield.

Fans of the soap have a shocking theory that Pierce is going KILL Vanessa after she stood up to Pierce during Thursday night's episode.

Speaking to Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on This Morning, Jonathan said things are only going to get worse for poor Rhona as Pierce's controlling behaviour worsens.

Last night's episode also saw the beginning of a revenge porn plot after Paris filmed him and Rhona having sex without her consent.

Talking about his character, Jonathan said: "There is a back story to Pierce, he arrived in the village desperately trying to found out who ran over his wife, then discovered he was having an affair with Paddy.

"Then you see this controlling behaviour emerge and it's only going to get worse."

After watching one of the tense scenes, Jonathan  commented: "It's terrible isn't it, Vanessa is his nemesis.

"I have one face for her and one for Rhona but she's been on to me from the beginning and she's always had doubts about Rhona's relationship. He's desperate to widen the rift between them."

Meanwhile, fans are convinced Piere's behaviour is going to take an even more sinister turn and that he'll kill Vanessa.

Pierce has been slowly controlling and abusing girlfriend Rhona in the ITV soap, but now Vanessa has worked out what he's doing and vowed to stop him, viewers are worried for her safety.

"It's fairly obvious Pierce will try and kill Vanessa now," tweeted one viewer.

Another added: "Pierce is gonna kill Vanessa, isn't he?" while a third wrote: "Pierce will kill Vanessa guarantee it."

It comes as Rhona's terrifying revenge porn ordeal began to gather steam.

The vet - who is played by actress Zoe Henry in the ITV soap - put on a reluctant strip show for her controlling partner and he began filming her.

Encouraging her to become drunk and perform for him, he then began to film her despite her objections.

Pierce manipulated Rhona into continuing her strip tease before continuing filming as the pair began to have sex.

"Go on, have another swig, let your hair down, don't spoil it," he said before encouraging her to do more.

Later, Pierce's control issues spiralled when he discovered what Vanessa really thought about him and could be a threat to his abusive behaviour.

Confronting her in her cottage, he furiously threatened her to try to get her to back off.

"I pity you, so a woman tells you she's getting married and the first thing you do is ply her with drink and tell her you love her," he said but Vanessa hit back.

As Pierce told her her son would one day realise she was a "gin-soaked closet case" she demanded her get out of her house and later vowed to save Rhona from him.

After Pierce manipulation saw Rhona ask Vanessa to be her Maid of Honour, she surprisingly agreed before Pierce demanded to know that she would 'tow the line'.

But Vanessa wasn't having any of it and told him in no uncertain terms that she would save Rhona from him - even if it killed her.

"You threatened me in my home. The Maid of Honour thing's a great idea, Pierce. Six whole weeks to convince you're not worth looking at, let alone marrying.

"She'll see sense, even if it kills me."

• Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV at 7pm

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