Emmerdale residents can breathe easy again, as their resident serial killer Lachlan White has been banged up for a “very long time”.
Last night (Wednesday 19 September), the multiple murderer was seen being led to a prison cell – but is that really the last we’ll see of him?
After the scenes aired, actor Thomas Atkinson confirmed he’s left the soap after four-and-a-half-years. However, he also teased a possible return in the future.
Read more: Major Tate character returns to Emmerdale?
In dramatic scenes, Rebecca finally exposed Lachlan’s crimes after her kidnap ordeal, giving police the evidence they needed to send Lachlan to prison.
Using flashbacks, viewers were shown that sinister nurse Mrs Sykes had left her on the roadside.
After the episode aired, Thomas filmed a special goodbye message to fans and confirmed that his character’s reign of terror truly has ended.
For now at least!
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILER: Drunk Charity mows down Dingle favourite
He said: “So, after all this time, after everything Lachlan has done, it’s all finally caught up with.
“For the last four-and-a-half years, I’ve kinda grown up here. That’s the way I see it. I’ve figured it out; I’ve spent a quarter of my life here, which is a long time… The fanbase has been amazing. They’ve shown me support.”
Asked if his twisted character would ever return, Thomas teased: “Will he be back? I don’t know. You’ll have to ask the soap gods about that. I mean, he’s not dying. He’s going to prison. There could be a trial. You know, we don’t know? We’ll have to see!”
Eek!
The actor said his highlight had been the brutal car crash which saw Lachlan kill his mum and granddad.
He was also full of praise for co-star Eden Taylor-Draper – aka Belle Dingle – saying she has been “fantastic” to work alongside.
Emmerdale viewers took to Twitter to react to Lachlan finally getting his comeuppance.
Some praised Thomas, writing: “Brilliantly portrayed character by Tom, but I’m so glad the story has ended now. I hope the evil Lachlan gets his just deserts.”
Brilliantly portrayed character by Tom, but I'm so glad the story has ended now. I hope the evil Lachlan gets his just deserts.
— Chris Gore (@ChrisGo68566571) September 20, 2018
Sad to see Thomas go, AMAZING actor 🙁 But.. umm, hope you enjoy you’re jail cell Lachlan #Emmerdale
— 🐟 (@lolalecomts) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/xKellieLou/status/1042482686043074560
Surely this isn’t the end just yet?! #Lachlan #Emmerdale
— Lucy (@lucy_hewlett) September 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/nekoaimee/status/1042481764147576832
Another said: “Sad to see Thomas go, AMAZING actor 🙁 But.. umm, hope you enjoy you’re jail cell Lachlan.”
A third tweeted: “I’m not gutted it’s the end of Lachlan but I am very upset that it means no more Thomas because he is one amazing actor #Emmerdale.”
Others thought the ending was disappointing, with one saying: “That was Lachlan’s exit? Really? So lame. He deserved so much better.”
https://twitter.com/xloucliftonx/status/1042483394402299911
Lachlan exit soooo anticlimax.. I expect more! Tom is brilliant ! They could do more. Why emmerdale why?
— Rose (@RoseSugden) September 19, 2018
So today was Lachlan’s final scenes. He seemed to go out with a whimper. The week he went loco was great but after that things just started to fizzle like the writers ran out of steam to conclude this story and his character better. And then there was one. #Emmerdale
— Bobbie 🐦🐦 (@Bobbie_robron) September 19, 2018
That was Lachlan's exit? Really? So lame. He deserved so much better 😩#EMMERDALE
— Vanessa⁷🏳️🌈 (@vanessa_rocha88) September 19, 2018
Is that really Lachlan's exit I felt sure there would be a dramatic last stand seems a bit anticlimactic somehow #Emmerdale
— Danny Miller Fansite (@DannyMFansite) September 19, 2018
That was it? I still wonder if the new producers decided to wrap this stupid Lachlan storyline up sooner than was originally planned… #Emmerdale #LetsNeverMentionItAgain https://t.co/pc25VC9nqF
— Emmerdale Farmer (@EmmerdaleFarmer) September 19, 2018
Another said: “Is that really Lachlan’s exit I felt sure there would be a dramatic last stand seems a bit anticlimactic somehow.”
A third wrote: “That was it? I still wonder if the new producers decided to wrap this stupid Lachlan storyline up sooner than was originally planned… #Emmerdale #LetsNeverMentionItAgain.”
Meanwhile, in an online poll, 78 per cent of those who took part believe that Lachlan will be back one day…
One thing’s for sure, it’s certainly going to be a LOT quieter in the village without him.
Would you like to see Lachlan make a sensational comeback one day? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!