The character - played by Ash Palmasciano - was left for dead after being targeted by his ex-boyfriend Isaac, a man he dated when he was known as Hannah
EMMERDALE fans were left horrified tonight as Matty Barton was jumped by thugs in a vicious transphobic attack.
The character - played by Ash Palmasciano - was targeted by his ex-boyfriend Isaac, a man he dated when he was known as Hannah.
After leaving a New Year's Eve party, Matty was jumped by Isaac and his pals who took issue with the fact he transitioned and tried to rip his clothes off.
Matty was left shaken and vulnerable as the men revealed his compression vest - known as a binder - and taunted him for still being a woman.
Speaking to the Radio Times about tonight's harrowing scenes, Ash said: "Stripping Matty and taking his top off is the worst thing they can do, he is so embarrassed of his body, is desperate for reassignment surgery and is trying his best to fit back into the village as himself.
“Ripping off the clothes reveals the compression vest he wears, called a binder, and they taunt him for still being a woman.
"That knocks Matty’s head for a long time, it really disturbs him."
Viewers were equally upset by the scenes and took to Twitter to discuss what happened.
One wrote: "That was heartbreaking to watch. Poor Matty."
Another added: "That made me feel physically sick...Matty" while a third tweeted: "That was awful to watch!! Poor Matty!! #Emmerdale absolutely cruel!"
Matty arrived back in the village in June and left mum Moira stunned when he revealed he’d transitioned.
He was last seen in 2012 when he was known as Hannah, before leaving to live in London with sister Holly.
But Moira was stunned to discover that Matty had only been a few miles away in Manchester the whole time as he began his new life as a man.
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