The truth about Charity Dingle’s secret son has finally been revealed – he did not die just after childbirth as previously believed.
In heartbreaking scenes during Charity’s special flashback episode (Tuesday 29 May), viewers saw a young Charity come to terms with being pregnant by rapist DI Bails or one of his fellow abusers.
The teenager originally tried to lose the unborn baby by drinking alcohol throughout the early months, but started wanting to protect the baby when she felt it kick.
Finally admitting the truth about her son to girlfriend Vanessa Woodfield, Charity credited the boy with saving her life – as she became determined to escape DI Bails’ clutches for the sake of the child.
However, she has always believed the baby died just after childbirth.
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILER: Is Lachlan’s secret out?
Sad scenes showed the teenage Charity (Mica Proctor) looking through a hospital door as medics fought to save her baby son.
Convincing herself he had died because of her behaviour in pregnancy, she fled the hospital.
However, viewers saw that her son had been resuscitated – and had survived!
The shocking twist left viewers delighted and also desperate to know more about Charity’s son and whether he’ll arrive in Emmerdale in the future.
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Fans expressed their surprise on social media, and even speculated about the identity of Charity’s son.
One believed he could already be in village, writing: “Do you think Joe is Charity’s son?”
Do you think Joe is Charity’s son #emmerdale
— Katie (@peakykatie) May 29, 2018
@emmerdale Ooh how fabulous was Emma Atkins this evening? Charity’s scenes were heartbreaking & once she knows her baby boy is alive, DI Bails won’t know what has hit him as her inner strength will come out & we will see Charity fight back at her best! … #Emmerdale
— Lisa Brown (@LisaB_) May 29, 2018
I wonder if charity's boy is already loving inn The village hmm #emmerdale
— Michele (@minxmish) May 29, 2018
Brilliant episode of Emmerdale 👏 Emma Atkins is such an incredible actress and her portrayal of Charity is outstanding ❤️🙌
— Caleb 🔥 (@Calebxz) May 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/OrangeMist85/status/1001552364057300992
Wonder if charity’s son will end up being some one we have already seen on the show #emmerdale
— Sean ferguson (@fergu65) May 29, 2018
So… #Emmerdale was bloody brilliant tonight wasn’t it? I thought that was a really clever way to explore Charity’s backstory and Mica Proctor was wonderful and perfectly cast. I love it when soaps veer away from what’s expected of them.
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) May 29, 2018
You know the nurse is the flashback episode is she one of the police officers too? Because if she is, imagine if she had Charity's son the whole time. Or worse DS Bails' wife has been raising him. #Emmerdale
— Kellie (@xKellieLou) May 29, 2018
Charity gave birth alone 😭😭😭😭😭#Emmerdale #CharityDingle
— Vanessa⁷🫰 (@vanessa_rocha88) May 29, 2018
Another wrote: “Ooh how fabulous was Emma Atkins this evening? Charity’s scenes were heartbreaking & once she knows her baby boy is alive, DI Bails won’t know what has hit him as her inner strength will come out & we will see Charity fight back at her best!”
A third was tearful that Charity “gave birth alone”.
Future scenes will explore the identity of Charity’s son as she discovers he didn’t die after all.
Fans will also discover whether DI Bails will get his comeuppance.
What did you think of Charity’s flashback episode? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!