Viewers of Emmerdale were left in bits last night, as fan favourite Sam Dingle was seen struggling in the aftermath of Lisa Dingle’s tragic death.
Although Lisa wasn’t Sam’s biological mother, viewers know that she played a major part in his life – and he adored her.
Read more: Emmerdale SPOILER: Jamie’s secret family arrive
Grief-stricken and feeling like he doesn’t ‘fit in’, Sam was seen breaking down in tears on the very sofa on which Lisa passed away from a terminal heart condition.
As the rest of the family cling together in mourning, Sam has been distant and uncharacteristically quiet after an outburst last week.
Viewers were stunned when he launched an unprovoked attack at Chas as the family tried to remember Lisa by telling stories and toasting her memory.
Read more: Emmerdale viewers divided over Isabel Hodgins’ new hair
On Wednesday night (May 29), in heartbreaking scenes, Sam finally confessed his true feelings – that he doesn’t feel like he has the right to grieve because he isn’t Lisa’s biological son.
He told Lydia: “I just feel like I shouldn’t be a part of it. Lisa weren’t my real mum like she was Belle’s.”
As Lydia tried to reassure him, Sam also revealed he was devastated he didn’t get to say goodbye.
Fans sobbed at home for poor Sam, with one tweeting: “What a heartbreaking scene. Adore Sam and Lydia as a couple!”
Another said: “Now you can see why @jamhoot & @karenblick are two of my fave characters and one of my fave onscreen couples after watching last night’s scenes with them in it. The character Sam is showing the reality of grief. Superbly portrayed by him and Lydia.”
A third added: “Lydia trying to get through to Sam, such heartbreak for him!”
“An emotional scene with Sam Dingle coming to terms with the Loss of Lisa,” said another. “She is like a mum to him. How sad and heartbreaking it is. Well done Emmerdale”
Oh Sam😢😢 #Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/V16N1j56zP
— Jenny (@ladderack) May 29, 2019
Oh Sam… Lisa loved you so much! 💔 #Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/FBB3ISpeHo
— Chloe Jackson (@ChloeZara11) May 29, 2019
Lydia trying to get through to Sam, such heartbreak for him! #Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/8PiaCibFcI
— All In The Name Of Emmerdale (@Ishipvanity) May 29, 2019
Now you can see, friends why @jamhoot & @karenblick are two of my fave characters & one of my fave onscreen couples after watching last nights scenes with them in it. The character Sam is showing the reality of grief. Superbly portrayed by him and Lydia. #Emmerdale #twitter
— Rina Hanson (@MintQueen71) May 30, 2019
What a heartbreaking scene. Adore Sam & Lydia as a couple!! 💔
— Nic (@Nicola07196629) May 29, 2019
And some of James’s co-stars past and present also heaped praise on the actor for his portrayal of grief-stricken Sam.
Mike Parr, who played Ross Barton, said: “You are, as I’ve said before, the best actor to ever star in that show. No one transforms like you do. It blows me away how different you are to Sam in real life.”
And Kelvin Fletcher, who was Andy Sugden on the soap, added: “Absolutely. Effortless. What a class act.”
Dean Andrews, who stars as Will Taylor on screen, said: “Nice work Hoots.”
You are, as I’ve said before, the best actor to ever star in that show. No one transforms like you do. It blows me away how different you are to Sam in real life.
— Michael Parr (@MikeParrActor) 30 May 2019
Absolutely. Effortless. What a class act
— Kelvin Fletcher (@kelvin_fletcher) 30 May 2019
Nice work Hoots @jamhoot 👍
— Dean Andrews (@Deanoandrews) 29 May 2019
Sam was a teenager when Lisa became a part of his life way back in 1996 as she began a romance with Sam’s dad, Zak.
Lisa soon became a motherly figure to Sam, but his real mum is in fact Nellie Dingle, Zak’s first wife.
She appeared in Emmerdale for the first time in 1995 at the same time as Sam.
However, Nellie had to leave later that year to care for her ill father in Ireland, leaving Sam in Emmerdale with Zak.
Do you feel for Sam Dingle? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!