The residents of Emmerdale were looking forward to letting their hair down for New Year’s Eve, but it ended in trauma for Matty.
He’d gone along to the cafe for their pizza and Prosecco-themed do, and it was looking like a good night ahead when he got chatting to a pretty girl.
But the mood quickly changed when a blast from the past emerged… Isaac, who was Hannah’s ‘first’ before she transitioned.
When Isaac realised who Matty was, things threatened to get nasty, but he and his cronies left.
Matty’s night was ruined, though, so he decided to head home.
When walking across the green, however, he was set upon by Isaac and his mates, who were going to ‘prove’ he wasn’t a man.
Victoria spotted what was happening and came to his rescue, with Ellis and Billy.
But the horrifying incident had broken him… and viewers were totally distressed.
The attack on Matty was the most horrific thing I’ve seen recently. Was watching with kids so had to switch off. Am giving up on #Emmerdale. Not watching anymore x https://t.co/kdH3J8ZSW3
— Flicksfan (@flicksfan) 1 January 2019
I had great new years eve! And managed to watch the Matty scenes. That just made me heartbroken what they did to him #Emmerdale #mattybarton pic.twitter.com/OWUaiUiD8v
— MattyVicFans (@MattyVicFans) 1 January 2019
Cant believe Matty got attacked Why??? He can’t catch a break 🙁🙁🙁🙁 #emmerdale
— Spreading Robron/Dofty Magic (@RobronareMyLife) 31 December 2018
those thugs had better not get away with what they just did to Matty #emmerdale pic.twitter.com/NsqZospw6E
— ✨💚 (@shellstrOAp) 31 December 2018
them matty scenes were awful😞 it’s so horrible that there is still some sickening people out there who cannot love somebody for who they are 💔 #emmerdale
— jamielee🎀 (@jamieleesmithxo) 31 December 2018
Catching up on the second half of #Emmerdale. Great episode! The Matty scenes are painful to watch 💔
— The Woolie Weekly (@WoolieWeekly) 31 December 2018
For pre-watershed the writing didn’t leave much to the imagination as to what these thugs were trying to do to Matty. Horrific scenes, but sadly probably closer to reality than the LGBT utopia #Emmerdale often is.
— Love, Wolfie 🏳️🌈 (@Golden_Gaytime) 31 December 2018
That end scene with Matty was heartbreaking, such a hard watch. Hard to believe there are still transphobic people in this world! #emmerdale is the perfect platform to educate people on the reality of what this type of hate can do to someone. Amazing work from @Ash_Palmo as per👏🏼
— K♡ (@_IamKayleigh) 31 December 2018
Poor Matty that was an awful incident #Emmerdale
— Katie (@vanityrulesED) 31 December 2018