'What happened to the bullying story?' Emmerdale fans all ask the same question about Dr Todd
Charity will suffer at Todd's handsA sexual assault storyline for Charity Dingle has been confirmed by Emmerdale and fans have reacted strongly to the news.
Dr Todd will make her darkest and most vile move yet as Emmerdale explores the devastating effects of sexual violence, specifically female-on-female assault, something which is not widely explored.
Dr Todd to sexually assault Charity Dingle in Emmerdale
On Sunday June 7, Charity dares Todd to reveal her secret to Sarah. But Todd is unable to do it. She then admits she actually enjoys Charity’s chaotic life.
However, the temporary truce soon gets ugly when Todd turns aggressive. Her nasty nature resurfaces and she sexually assaults Charity.
Charity will struggle to deal with the aftermath of the attack. But will she eventually confide in her family and loved ones? Or will she keep the trauma to herself?
Fans react to the Charity assault plot in Emmerdale
Viewers of the soap have had a strong reaction to the planned story. And a lot of them have one simple question: What happened to the workplace bullying storyline?
Initially Caroline Harker was brought back to the soap to play Dr Todd as part of a workplace bullying plot featuring Jacob. But that was wrapped up in less than an episode and it moved on to Charity’s story.
“An important story to tell and to bring awareness to,: shared one fan on social media. “But I wish the Jacob bullying storyline had more time – it felt rushed and it was an interesting angle…”
Another mused: “A lot of people praised the workplace bullying storyline (idk why) only for it to go nowhere, have no justice for the victim and end up setting up the real storyline which is a long one for Charity (and Mack). Has Jacob even been on screen since?”
A third addressed Emmerdale directly: “You have turned a workplace bullying storyline into blackmail and sexual assault. You could have JUST done the bullying story and the ramifications of that. Instead, you take it way too far and sensationalise it into this. There’s no balance in your story telling anymore.”
Another said: “There are many things I could list as frustrating with the Dr Todd/Jacob/bullying storyline, but the one thing that has frustrated me the most is that this storyline has not really been a bullying storyline.
“It feels like a total mislead imo and the actual intention was to bring in a villain to be the cause of Leyla’s parentage. It is now getting even darker and the bullying feels so far removed that you would forget that even happened.”
In defence of Emmerdale
However some fans are happy with the storyline. In particular comments have stated that actress Emma Atkins will “smash” it.
One felt the move to sexual assault did make sense given what’s gone before. They wrote: “A lot of people are saying how Dr Todd has gone from workplace bullying to this but I do believe there’s been sexual undertones to it for a while now, first with how she made out that Jacob had a crush on her and used the Maya stuff against him.
“And then the scenes recently with Charity again trying to insinuate that Charity likes what is happening and making sexual jokes towards her. I don’t think the story has been changed at all I think it has just been bubbling up to a boiling point.”
Other commented back: “Couldn’t agree more!”
Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley steps away from the cobbles already in surprise pause for Eva Price
Eva Price's return put her right at the heart of the soap alongside her family - The Driscolls. The family took over the iconic Rovers pub and hasn't shied away from the drama.
But, Eva looks set to leave her family to cope without her for a little while as Catherine Tyldesley heads off to film scenes on another show.
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She's filming her exit scenes on another show (Credit: ITV)[/caption]
Catherine Tyldesley to 'take break' from Coronation Street as Eva Price
As well as playing the role of Eva Price in Weatherfield, Catherine Tyldesley also plays the role of First Officer Kate Woods on the much sunnier show The Good Ship Murder.
She's done well to juggle both roles but the time has come to exit the murder drama for the moment.
To do so though, Catherine will be taking a 'short break' from Coronation Street. This means that she can head back to the Good Ship set and film her exit scenes.
A source told The Sun: "Cath spoke to her bosses at Corrie about taking some time off to film her Good Ship exit and they agreed.
“When she agreed to return to the soap there was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not she would be able to go back, but fortunately it’s all working out.
“There was talk about possibly killing off her character but in the end bosses decided that she would get a happy ending."
Catherine is expected to begin filming her exit scenes in the coming months as part of Season 4 of the show.
She'll then return to Coronation Street to pick up where she left off as Eva. Phew.
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Eva's return put her at the heart and centre of the soap (Credit: ITV)[/caption]
Eva Price's chaotic return to Coronation Street
Eva Price rocked up back on the cobbles towards the end of 2025 as her husband Ben announced that he'd bought the Rovers for her.
Chaos erupted though when she realised that Maggie's money had been used for the purchase. And, she wanted to be the landlady.
A deal was eventually agreed upon, but this didn't stop Maggie from making her dislike of Eva known. She didn't think Eva was good enough for Ben.
As well as this, a past baby secret threatened to divide Ben and Eva. And, Will Driscoll's concerning behaviour has also caused a stir.
The teen has been groomed by his gym coach Megan Walsh and is currently seeing her in secret.
2026 is set to bring even more drama for the family. So, it looks like Eva could well do with a brief break from Weatherfield actually!
Read more: Here’s how old Coronation Street Jack Webster actor Kyran Bowes is
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
