Emmerdale fans immediately recognised Charity Dingle’s police officer during Monday’s episode.
Recently, Dr Todd discovered the real biological parentage of baby Leyla. Charity had acted as a surrogate for her granddaughter Sarah Sugden and Sarah’s husband Jacob Gallagher, welcoming the adorable baby Leyla into the world.
Yet what Charity kept hidden from Sarah and Jacob is that Leyla isn’t biologically theirs – the baby’s actual parentage is Charity and Ross Barton, following a short-lived fling between the two.
Charity had frantically attempted to keep the secret buried, but it wasn’t long before the villainous Dr Todd – who has spent months tormenting trainee doctor Jacob at the hospital – discovered the truth and has been blackmailing Charity ever since.
The manipulative doctor has demanded an eye-watering £100,000 from the Woolpack co-owner, leaving Charity utterly desperate. The situation then took a deeply disturbing twist when Dr Todd sexually assaulted Charity in Sunday’s episode.
DS Reid is played by actress Angela Lonsdale (Image: ITV)
Monday’s instalment showed the devastating aftermath as Charity grappled with what had occurred. After trying to join her family at the pub for granddaughter Sarah’s 21st birthday celebrations, a clearly distressed Charity rushed from the gathering.
Subsequently, Charity found the courage to visit the police station and report Dr Todd to the authorities. Charity spoke to a female police officer called DS Reid. Sharp-eyed soap fans were quick to do a double take during the scenes, instantly recognising the actress behind the character. DS Reid is portrayed by actress Angela Lonsdale.
Angela, 58, played police officer Emma on Coronation Street from 2000 to 2003, where she was paired with the much-loved character Curly Watts.
Angela, 58, played police officer Emma on Coronation Street from 2000 to 2003, where she was paired with the much-loved character Curly Watts (Image: Granada Television/ITV)
Since departing Coronation Street, Angela has gone on to appear in Holby City, Doctors, This Is England ’90, Our Girl, The Syndicate, and Hollyoaks, amongst other productions.
Viewers were swift to take to social media to highlight the crossover, particularly given that Angela was once again stepping into the role of a police officer.
One viewer commented: “Good to see Emma Watts is still on the force. #Emmerdale #Corriedale” while another fan wrote: “Wow, Emma Watts got promoted! One for the #Corrie long time watchers #Emmerdale.”
Elsewhere, another viewer noted: “The police officer talking to charity is curly watts wife Emma also play police women in corrie” to which a fellow fan responded: “I did recognise her face. I dont watch Corrie, but think she has been in lots.”
In the weeks ahead, Charity will face a deeply painful struggle to come to terms with the attack, caught between opening up to her loved ones and keeping her trauma buried deep within.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX
