Emmerdale slapped with HUNDREDS of Ofcom complaints for homophobic abuse scenes - with viewers sobbing as character brutally beaten and conned out of cash

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Emmerdale has been slapped with hundreds of Ofcom complaints after scenes of homophobic abuse.
Viewers of the soap were left sobbing after character Vinny Dingle, played by Bradley Johnson, was brutally beaten before being conned out of money in a recent episode.
In recent scenes, Vinny - who is engaged to a woman - expressed confusion over his sexuality and began speaking to a man who he met on an online support forum.
And in an episode which aired last week, Vinny realised that Mike, the man had been talking to online, actually had a dark ulterior motive and ultimately showed up at Vinny's house before attacking, blackmailing and stealing from him.
According to The Sun, 279 people contacted Ofcom with concerns over the episode, with the complaints objecting to 'violent and sexual content before the watershed'.
Vinny had started speaking to Mike online after feeling confused about his sexuality.
But out of the blue Mike turned up at Vinny's home, claiming that his girlfriend had thrown him out of the house.
The situation took a dark turn when Mike started verbally abusing Vinny about his sexuality.
Mike then attacked Vinny, brutally kicking and punching him and leaving him shaking on the floor.
In an even more painful turn, Mike then forced Vinny to send him £10,000, blackmailing him with secret recordings he had taken of Vinny confessing to being confused about his sexuality.
Vinny, who is engaged to female character Gabby Thomas, played by Rosie Bentham, felt he had no choice but to obey the demand. Mike also stole Vinny and Gabby's wedding rings, before making a run for it.
Viewers were left in tears by the episode, with one writing: 'How powerful were the Vinny scenes last night?
'So sad seeing poor Vinny get beaten again - for nothing. He was being vulnerable and honest in who he is. Hope Mike gets his comeuppance!'
'I knew there was something fishy about that bloke when Vinny first met him. But I wish #emmerdale hadn't got as dark as this. I much prefer the old,' another said.
Viewers were left in tears by the episode, with one writing: 'How powerful were the Vinny scenes last night?'
It comes after a huge Emmerdale star quit the ITV soap - and will be written out as his character makes a 'fatal mistake that exposes their true colours'.
Actor Oliver Farnworth, 43, has played John Sugden in the Dales since 2024.
In recent weeks his alter-ego has been involved in a bit of drama, and last month Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) battered his long lost brother John to the ground in a brutal attack.
Since Robert returned to the village earlier this year, the pair haven't seen eye to eye as John has tied the knot with Robert's ex Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).
After 144 episodes on Emmerdale as the paramedic practitioner, he's ready to take on other roles.
A source told The Sun: 'It's the beginning of the end for John.
'He's got away with so much but he's about to make a fatal mistake that sees him exposed for what he is.
'Obviously Oliver knew that a character like John had a shelf life and that's rapidly approaching.