Emmerdale’s Chas Dingle finally saw her affair with Al Chapman exposed to husband Paddy and the village on the ITV soap in explosive scenes ahead of Christmas.
Two months ago, Chas was planning to leave the village forever to set up a new life with her secret lover, but their plans never came to be as Al was shot dead by Kyle at the end of October.
The secrets behind Al’s last few months alive with Chas have plagued her in the wake of her mother Faith’s death, as she desperately tried to conceal that they were having an affair.
However, the truth of their romance has been gradually creeping out after Kerry’s daughter Chloe came across damning evidence of his double life – and the penny finally dropped for Belle on Wednesday.
Belle broke down in front of Moira as she admitted what she knows, leaving Chas’ sister-in-law furious as she began to put two and two together over Cain’s imprisonment and Al’s death.
Paddy and Chas were preparing for a romantic Christmas getaway – only for the vet to suddenly learn of the affair off screen and confront Chas on Thursday evening.
As Paddy calmly laid out the truth of the matter before Chas at the house Al had bought for them to run away together, Emmerdale fans were left puzzled over how and when Paddy found out.
The sudden revelation event left many wondering if he had in fact known for some time and been harbouring the secret, given his relatively calm response to the infidelity.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “Maybe Paddy was the one in the bushes who saw Chas and Al kissing in the village,” as another said: “So how long has Paddy known?? All along? Wow.”
Another fan wrote: “Paddy's too reserved about this…” while one said: “Paddy being weirdly calm usually means a mahoosive explosive meltdown.”
Another concluded: “Paddy’s acting weird. I would’ve buried her alive by now.”
The revelation has come just as Chas finally overcame her grief at the loss of Al and this week dedicated herself to a life with Paddy – however, their future is now in doubt after the loved up scenes with her husband and Eve.
Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas, recently admitted she is doubtful that her character’s marriage to Paddy will be able to survive the affair.
Lucy said:“"Paddy would be totally and utterly devastated. I don't know if he could ever get over it, but it would be interesting to see how he would react and whether he would react in the way people would think he would.“
Asked if she's worried about their future, Lucy replied: “Yes, I'm absolutely terrified.“
