ITVX early release delivers devastating Debbie Dingle news as hopes of a return are crushed
Is Debbie gone for good?
WARNING this article contains Debbie Dingle spoilers for the Emmerdale episode showing on Thursday May 22, in which the soap issues an update on her ‘return’ to the village. This has not yet aired on ITV, but is available on streaming service ITVX*
Tonight’s episode of Emmerdale gives a shocking update as to the whereabouts of Debbie Dingle – absent from the soap since February 2021. Since then, she’s been residing in Scotland, where here family have visited her on multiple occasions over the years. Debbie, meanwhile, has not returned the favour.
Fans have long clamoured for the iconic Dingle’s return, amid frustration at her absence from major events recently. This included Belle marrying Tom, Zak’s funeral, and daughter Sarah’s 18th birthday – all missed by Debbie.
The soap finally reveals what Debbie’s been up to in tonight’s episode – ready to stream now on ITVX – as Sarah called her mum in need of support ahead of her upcoming biopsy. But what’s Debbie’s excuse this time?
Debbie reveals Australia move
Phoning her mum with the news, Sarah was stunned when Debbie dropped a bombshell of her own. She’s emigrated to Australia with her new man, Chris – with the plane just landing at the time of the call.
But that wasn’t the only news – she and Chris had gotten married, three weeks ago. This news left Sarah and the Dingles out in the cold, having not been told about either.
Charity and Cain were suitably shocked, with Charity immediately leaping to the assumption that Debbie was in a relationship with an abuser, who was keen to get her away from her family. After repeated calls, Cain managed to get through. He and Charity were devastated to learn that it had been Debbie’s idea to emigrate, wanting to make a clean break from her past.
But where does this leave Sarah and her grandparents?
Debbie Dingle news rules out Emmerdale return
As they attempted to process the news, Cain broke down in Charity’s arms. Having been abandoned by another child, he was feeling like a terrible father – unaware of Nate’s real whereabouts. Meanwhile, a despondent Sarah headed to the hospital for her biopsy alone.
Back home, Charity reassured Sarah that they’d be there for her in Debbie’s absence… unaware of her secret cancer fears and IVF plans. Fans, meanwhile, will be just as disappointed for the news.
While Charley Webb’s return to the soap has always been unlikely, viewers have hoped that the role would be recast, so that Debbie may be welcomed back into the Dingle fold where she belongs. With one fell swoop, Debbie has put paid to those hopes for the forseeable. Poor Sarah!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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