Emmerdale fans plead for unbearable character to be written out of ITV soap

Viewers of ITV's rural soap Emmerdale are fearful for young April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) as evil drug dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) appears to have a sinister plan for the teenager. She recently reconnected with Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) upon his return to the village. However, unbeknownst to her, he has been working for Ray, who seems to have now set his sights on April in the latest episode (July 5).

Fans are not impressed by the storyline and took to X to air their grievances. "What's Ray going to do with April #emmerdale," one penned. "How many villains in one little village #emmerdale," another asked. "#emmerdale can't yas get rid of that t*** Ray. Hasn't there been enough thugs & dealers in the show for a while? FFS gives us a break from druggy thuggy," a third pleaded. However, one viewer wasn't buying it, commenting: "I'm sorry, but April does not suit this storyline. She just doesn't look the part. They have put make-up on her, but it's still not working #emmerdale."

In the episode, Dylan had lied to April about the fact he was meeting Ray telling her instead he was going to see his drug counsellor.

However, April's father, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), and his wife, Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry), along with Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), figured out that Dylan was the thug stabbed by Kyle Winchester (Huey Quinn).

Despite this, Paddy told him he could continue to stay with him and his wife, Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley). However, Marlon expressed his concerns to the wayward youngster.

"I'm worried about how quickly you got mixed up in drugs after leaving rehab. What we don't want to happen is for you to start using again." Reassured that he was clean, a relieved Marlon left it there.

It transpired that Ray had his eyes on April, though, as he was seen taking a phone call as he left the Woolpack.

"The lad's done well. found some local vet to take him in," he told the person on the other end.

"Even got himself a girlfriend, heart warming stuff, bless him...she's sweet, innocent and all the rest.

"She could definitely be useful to us," he said as he eyed up the teenagers.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.