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EMMERDALE viewers were left heartbroken as Frank Clayton died in front of his family after rescuing daughter Tracy from the raging factory fire.

Brave Frank selflessly entered the burning building and freed Tracy from a store room where she was waiting to surprise boyfriend Billy.

 ITV viewers were left heartbroken as Frank Clayton died in front of his family after rescuing daughter Tracy from the raging factory fire
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ITV viewers were left heartbroken as Frank Clayton died in front of his family after rescuing daughter Tracy from the raging factory fireCredit: ITV
 A large explosion propelled him viciously into the side of a van
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A large explosion propelled him viciously into the side of a vanCredit: ITV

After breaking into the room, he wrapped a coat around his daughter and sent her out of the building from which she emerged coughing and spluttering.

She was greeted by sister Vanessa, Megan, factory owner Jai and Kerry and Amy - who accidentally caused the blaze by sabotaging the CCTV.

But heartache was just around the corner.

Frank appeared, walking casually away from the inferno towards the relieved crowd.

 Firefighters were caught up in the explosion
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Firefighters were caught up in the explosionCredit: ITV
 Tracy screamed in horror
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Tracy screamed in horrorCredit: ITV
 Paramedics couldn't save Frank
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Paramedics couldn't save FrankCredit: ITV
 Smoke billowed from the factory
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Smoke billowed from the factoryCredit: ITV
 Billy and Vanessa ran to Tracy's aid
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Billy and Vanessa ran to Tracy's aidCredit: ITV

However, the joy was shortlived as a large explosion propelled him viciously into the side of a van.

Despite the paramedics' best efforts, they were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tracy screamed at them: "Please you've got to keep going. Please, you can't stop, he saved my life.

"Please dad. Don't go, not like this. I didn't even say thanks for saving me."

 Kerry accidentally caused the blaze by sabotaging the factory's CCTV
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Kerry accidentally caused the blaze by sabotaging the factory's CCTVCredit: ITV
 Frank tried ramming the store room door with a metal trolley
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Frank tried ramming the store room door with a metal trolleyCredit: ITV

Vanessa rushed to her, saying: "He's gone sweetheart, he's gone."

The emotional scenes had viewers in tears.

One wrote: "I’m heartbroken after tonight’s emmerdale 💔💔."

A third shared: "RIP Frank 😭💔 @emmerdale thanks for a great portrayal @MichaelPraed sad to see Frank leave but all the best in your new ventures #emmerdale #Frank."

Another lamented: "I must say... totally unexpected 💔💔."

Another said: "Tragic Loss- Shockingly painful heart breaking loss of loved one in front of eyes & no one can turn tables to save."

Earlier today some fans were convinced the soap 'gave away’ that it was Frank who would die.

Savvy viewers turned amateur detectives and spotted the ominous clue to Frank's fate in credits for episodes to air after the blaze.

One person mused on : "Emmerdale have literally just revealed who dies tommorow in the factory fire as next weeks episode doesn’t have one certain character in the show and it’s Frank!!

"I know people saying that he might just not be in that episode but it has been rumoured that he dies trying to save Tracy and that’s why Megan leaves the village."

Another person moaned that it left them with "zero suspense" as one more said: "It’s defo Frank who dies. They would never give him this much screen time if it wasn’t."

 A Tumblr user posted Emmerdale's potentially revealing cast list for next week's episodes, available on the soap's app
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A Tumblr user posted Emmerdale's potentially revealing cast list for next week's episodes, available on the soap's appCredit: Tumblr
 The factory explodes after Kerry and Amy accidentally cause a blaze
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The factory explodes after Kerry and Amy accidentally cause a blazeCredit: ITV
Emmerdale trailer reveals violent Robert and Lee clash and first look at factory blaze
 The Dales residents will be looking for someone to blame for the fire
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The Dales residents will be looking for someone to blame for the fire

Frank moved in with Vanessa after leaving prison and began dating Megan.

But cheated on her with Charity Dingle – played by Emma Atkins – when they decided to rob the Whites of Home Farm together.

Actor Michael shot to fame in the 80s playing Robin of Loxley in British TV series Robin of Sherwood, which was a worldwide smash hit.

 Emmerdale's Kerry fears the worst after police question her after the factory fire
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Emmerdale's Kerry fears the worst after police question her after the factory fireCredit: Andrew Boyce

Meanwhile, Emmerdale's twisted fire-starter Kerry will face being questioned by the police over the factory blaze.
Knowing that the fire was caused by her sabotaging the factory CCTV, Kerry encourages her daughter Amy to act normal.

She’s still in total denial about the fact they caused the blaze but later, when the factory safe is opened and the money found to be missing, Kerry –  played by Laura Norton in the ITV soap – struggles to contain her guilt.


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