Charity Dingle’s history of abuse at the hands of DI Bails is to be explored in a special one-off episode, Emmerdale has revealed.
And the soap has cast a young actress to portray the teenage Charity in what will no doubt be dark and disturbing scenes.
Mica Proctor will star as the younger version of Charity in the landmark hour-long episode later this month.
Viewers will be taken back to Charity’s tortured teenage years which saw her fall victim to the abuse of corrupt policeman DI Bails.
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Last month, the feisty landlady told her girlfriend Vanessa the truth of her abusive past – how she was forced into prostitution as a child, groomed by Bails and subsequently sexually and emotionally abused by him.
As a result of the abuse, Charity gave birth to a son, who she hasn’t seen since.
The hard-hitting episode will air on Tuesday 29 May and will take viewers back in time when Charity didn’t have Vanessa – or in fact anyone – to confide in.
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Emmerdale chiefs have said that the episode will portray the “pain, heartbreak and confusion” that Charity felt when she went through her ordeal.
Speaking about her character’s special episode, actress Emma Atkins revealed: “It’s such a brilliant opportunity for me to explore Charity’s past and a chance to discover why Charity behaves the way she does a lot of the time. It’s stuff that’s been locked away for years, very painful stuff, and she finally feels able to talk about it.”
She continues: “It’s obviously the hardest storyline I’ve had due to the subject matter and I am duty bound to play it as truthfully as I can. If it in any way helps give anyone out there who’s suffered any kind of abuse the strength to open up, even just to talk about it, then that can only be the start of a good thing.”
Emmerdale has consulted with North Yorkshire’s Rape Unit while working on Charity’s storyline.
A spokesperson for the Unit said: “This is the third occasion that we have assisted Emmerdale with the storylines they have run around safeguarding and incidents involving victims of serious sexual crimes.
“They are so careful to ensure that they are portraying events correctly and providing the right information. They have always made sure the facts are correct and that victims can, and do get, the help and support they may need.”
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