Emmerdale fans have been left in tears, after tonight's emotional ending. During this evening's episode, Arthur continued to battle with a secret, that was causing him to lash out.
Clearly in emotional distress, Arthur took his angst out on Jimmy and April. One person who overheard his attack on April - in which he shouted at her to "find someone her own age" if she was "so desperate for a boyfriend" - was Nicola.
Having dealt with her own pent-up trauma following her vicious gang attack, Nicola knew immediately that something was bothering Arthur. While he was at her house, visiting his friend, Elliot, Nicola pulled Arthur aside and told him that she was there for him if he wanted to talk.
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Sure enough, it was not long before Arthur took her up on her offer. After being told that they could all head upstairs to play computer games instead of staying downstairs playing hangman, the kids headed off - but Arthur stayed.
He then asked Nicola if she fancied a game and he set up the page with the characters "_/__/__". Without first looking at the page, Nicola started to guess, she said: "A, for angry. I, for irritated...M..."
At that moment, she looked down at the piece of paper and knew immediately what the other characters were. She continued to guess so that Arthur could come out in the way that he had planned. She guessed "G" and then, when she finally said "Y", Arthur was unable to write the word out himself.
In a moment of solidarity, Nicola took the pen from him and added the final letter, so that "I/AM/GAY" was spelled out. Arthur then broke down in tears, crying into Nicola's arms as she reassured him that it would be okay.
She said: "Could have told anyone and you chose me. I'm so proud of you." But Arthur did not agree, replying: "What's there to be proud of? I can't even say the word."
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Nicola reassured him that he would be able to say the word in time, adding: "Every butterfly starts off as a caterpillar." But Arthur said: "People won't even look at me the same."
"Oh don't be daft, how many people do you think are going to bat an eye?" Nicola questioned. At this point, Arthur told her about a lad at his school, who had to move due to homophobic bullying.
And, when Nicola mentioned telling his mum, Arthur insisted that he was not ready. Nicola replied: "I won't say anything, this is your life. But if Laurel was here now, she'd wrap you in her arms and tell you to dry those tears."
And fans are "bawling" after the emotional scene, that has garnered high praise from viewers. @wldflwrwilson said: "haven’t sat down and watched emmerdale in a while but this made me bawl".
@lorrain76846804 said: "Nicola and Arthur beautiful scenes". @shalaluxe said: "this was so a beautiful scene". @mishybabez_ said: "What a brilliant scene".
@Jamal06122771 said: "Aww, now that was heartbreaking. Bless him. A clever way to go about it. Arthur your not alone." And @maitra_sulagna said: "This is one of the best scenes on #Emmerdale ever!! Beautifully done!"
What did you think of the scene between Nicola and Arthur? Let us know in the comments!
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