ITV/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 Emmerdale 'showing contempt for viewers' rage fans over incidental music The Graham scenes were overwhelmed with music Graham Foster Joe Tate Kim Tate Share By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 In recent weeks Emmerdale has been utilising incidental music to highlight major drama in scenes. But it’s not been a big hit with all fans. In fact, scenes this week, showing Graham Foster’s confrontation with Kim and Joe Tate, have left some viewers positively raging over it. There was lots of music over the top of Corriedale scenes (Credit: ITV) Music in Emmerdale scenes It’s not a tactic Emmerdale often employs, using music over the top of the actors. It’s more a movie technique. But since Corriedale it has become more obvious that it’s something Emmerdale are trying out. We had it over the top of much of Corriedale. It was then obvious in the flashback scenes to Ray’s murder last week. As the black and white clips of previous episodes showed, dramatic music was playing. Once again it took over when Paddy locked Bear away for his own safety. And last night (Wednesday Janaury 28) it was even more noticeable as Graham returned to Home Farm. Kim’s opera music was playing in the background with it reaching crescendo as Graham walked in. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers The incidental music kicked in and became louder once again as Graham was arrested at the end of the episode before it rolled into the credits. On some occasions this does serve to heighten the drama – and in the case of Graham revealing himself to Kim and Joe on Tuesday night (January 27) it made it unapologetically camp! And we loved it. But there are plenty of fans who are not loving it. Not at all. The Graham scenes also caused a musical stir (Credit: ITV) Fans hit out A Reddit thread is dedicated to people hitting out at the annoying format change. “I thought the Hollyoaks-esque background music was a temporary artefact of Corriedale, but it seems it’s here to stay. Is anyone else finding it incredibly irritating?” asked the thread started. Others quickly agreed: “I’m also finding it annoying. It’s like they’re wringing out any remaining realism.” “It shows contempt for viewers, like we’re too thick to understand what emotions we should be feeling,” said another angry fan. A third added: “It’s so unnecessary and the producers etc need to remember that its a soap not a cinematic blockbuster! Longtime viewers being alienated again…” “I’m not a fan either. It just isn’t what I expect in a soap,” commented someone else. They added: “It certainly wasn’t needed today. The actors held my attention perfectly well.” Over on X the sentiment was much the same: “OMG what is the music in the Graham scenes?? I hate it. That’s not what Emmerdale or Corrie is.” “Great episode, but lose the music, it’s not needed.” “WTF is this annoying music playing behind the speech. It’s giving me a headache. I won’t watch if this continues.” It worked brilliantly when Graham made his first entrance (Credit: ITV) But does the music in Emmerdale have its place? There are some who think it works pretty well. One hit back: “I’ll never understand why people complain every time a soap is the slightest bit artistic or creative.” Another added: “I think it’s good putting intense music in the background like today’s episode.” So where do you stand? Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 By Carena Crawford Jan 29 2026 Next Story
