ITV soap Emmerdale has been hit with several complaints to Ofcom over distressing scenes that aired on Friday.
The Yorkshire Dales-based soap has recently focused one of its major plotlines on teenager April Windsor (played by Amelia Flanagan).
The youngster has found herself in a difficult place over the last few months, and the recent episode saw the tragic teen caught up in a horrible situation.
Recent scenes have shown the 16-year-old being coerced into drug dealing in a desperate attempt to settle financial struggles.
Emmerdale viewers complained about the ITV soap to regulator Ofcom
|ITV
The controversial episode, which prompted complaints to regulator Ofcom, saw April preparing for a meeting set up by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), with a client called Tim.
He warned the youngster that Tim would expect her to hang around in his hotel room afterwards.
“I need this to go right, kid. Reputation is everything,” he told her.
Later, Tim tried to pressure April into taking drugs with him, urging her to do a line to “get in the mood”.
Ofcom received 61 complaints over the episode
|ITV
He then escalated his worrying behaviour by calling the teen “pretty”.
After touching her back, he remarked: “Carrying a lot of tension in those shoulders, though”.
Thankfully, April managed to get away from Tim, who shouted after her:” Where are you going? Sit back down – you haven’t done what I paid for.”
The intense episode led to some viewers issuing formal complaints to Ofcom.
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The regulator received 62 complaints over the scenes, with The Mirror confirming these related “to the April Windsor storyline appearing pre-watershed".
Fans of the soap also made their thoughts known on social media.
Taking to X, one asked: "So how long is this awful storyline with April & Dylan & the drugs baron going to go on for? #emmerdale."
A second penned: "April far too young for this part #emmerdale," while another echoed: "April being groomed is a dark episode #emmerdale."
Emmerdale fans complained the plot was 'too much' for a pre-watershed soap
|ITV
"April has been through too much as it is. This isn't necessary #Emmerdale," another argued.
"That felt incredibly dark tonight. And has April not been through enough this year? I really hope Celia/Ray are rumbled sooner rather than later #Emmerdale," someone else commented.
April was caught up in a frightening situation
|ITV
However, others applauded the instalment, with one writing: "What an episode. Absolutely outstanding. I will never stop talking about what a superstar Amelia is."
"What an extremely hard hitting, poignant episode of #emmerdale this evening. April is getting some extremely gritty storylines for someone so young," another wrote. (sic)