Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle will be forced to relive rape trauma as secret son she gave up returns
IT became one of her most dramatic storylines to date when Charity Dingle learned Debbie was the daughter she had put up for adoption as a baby.
And her world is set to turn upside down once again in the New Year, when Charity comes face to face with the secret son she gave up too.
Charity, played by EMMA ATKINS discovers the child she had after being raped as a teenager has moved to the Yorkshire Dales.
It is thought she gave the baby up when he was just days old, as she couldn’t face keeping him under the grim circumstances in which he was conceived.
A show source said: “Charity’s entire world will be rocked when her son is introduced in the New Year.
“Things have settled for her in terms of her personal life after three kids and as many husbands but this will change everything again.
“She gave up her son, which she’s never revealed before, just days after he was born because he was conceived during a rape. It is going to open up a load of old heartbreak for her.
“It will be tough to watch for viewers — and only someone as good as Emma could pull off the scenes.”
Charity is known as the show’s resident bitch because of her constant scheming and run-ins with the law.
She has been one of the most sensational characters to appear on Emmerdale since making her debut in 2000.
She discovered that Debbie, played by CHARLEY WEBB, was her long-lost daughter two years later. Charity also had sons Noah and Moses while serving separate prison sentences — one for murder and one for fraud.
I wonder if her long-lost son’s name will also have a biblical theme . . .
Rachel's gift of the lab
RACHEL RILEY isn’t always stood next to consonants and vowels.
To prove it, here’s the Countdown star at the Science Museum in London, preparing experiments to launch the National Lottery’s week of free offers at 400 heritage attractions across the UK.
Rachel’s dancer boyfriend PASHA KOVALEV missed the bash, as he was busy rehearsing for Saturday’s Strictly final.
He's a Prue believer
FOR some fans of The Great British Bake Off, the jury is still out on judge PRUE LEITH.
But there’s no doubt in the mind of contestant Paul Jagger, one of the bakers who will return for two festive specials of the show.
The prison governor who took part in the 2015 series, said: “I must admit I have fallen in love with Prue. And I did get a dance with her in the after-party.”
Meanwhile, Prue says she felt far more settled in her role when returning to the tent for the Christmas specials.
She said: “I didn’t feel like the newbie any more. It was like coming home.”
Festive instalments of Bake Off will air on Channel 4 on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Prue’s fellow judge PAUL HOLLYWOOD got into the festive spirit and said: “I wear a really naff Christmas jumper but I don’t mind at all. It’s all part of Christmas.
“I’d wear a Christmas onesie if they found one big enough.”
It’d beat the black shirt he seems to wear in every episode.
A Royal nod for Victoria
MILLIONS tuned in to watch the second series of Victoria but some viewers had a keener interest than most in the regal drama.
In an exclusive interview, writer Daisy Goodwin said: “I know some members of the Royal Family have watched it but I can’t say who.
“I think they’re more likely to watch this than The Crown. They like it, apparently.”
The ITV series will return for a seasonal special on Christmas Day at 9pm.
And Daisy says even loved-up Victoria and Albert are not exempt from some festive bickering.
She added: “I think Christmas is a really hard time for everybody. It puts pressure on every family and I think Victoria and Albert’s family are no exception.
“They’re really coming under the cosh. Victoria is missing her ally and quasi-mother Baroness Lehzen, so she’s getting used to her first Christmas alone.”
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But it’s likely to be the real-life chemistry of stars JENNA COLEMAN and TOM HUGHES that will have fans glued to their screens. The pair, who play Victoria and Albert, have revealed they are dating in real life.
Daisy said: “They do seem to me a very convincing couple. Whether that’s a reflection of however they get on off-screen or whether it’s the result of them being amazing actors, I couldn’t possibly say.”
I bet it makes the mistletoe scenes a bit easier.
soapbox
EASTENDERS sees a showdown between Ian and the man who raped his mother almost 30 years ago, James Willmott-Brown.
But Willmott-Brown deviously tries to create doubt about the 1988 attack.
Phil, Aidan and Mick get together to discuss the details of the big job – oblivious to the fact someone may be listening in on their plotting.
Robbie, meanwhile, accidentally reveals that he has a meeting about the future of the market.
And Jack urges Max to let go of the past.
In HOLLYOAKS, Glenn’s charms prove difficult to resist for Grace, while Luke puts on a front but has a dark plan involving Mark. Sienna plans a day out.