Emmerdale's Dominic Brunt has defended his co-star Lucy Pargeter after she was cruelly trolled online.
The actor, 52, who plays Paddy Kirk in the soap, took to Twitter telling fans the actress, 46, had been slammed for her cheating storyline.
In dramatic scenes, Chas Dingle cheated on Paddy with villainous Al Chapman - but it seems some viewers can't separate fact from fiction.
Taking to Twitter, Dominic said: "Wow!!. People still being pretty damned cruel and personal towards my dear friend @lucyparge.
"IT’S A STORY. Lucy has selflessly played this story for all it’s worth, knowing she/Chas would be disrespected and insulted on social media, and STILL hit all the beats. Amazing actress."
Lucy thanked her friend for his support, replying with: "Oh DD", followed by three orange heart emojis.
While Danny Miller, who played Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale, was quick to defend his on-screen mum, writing: "@dominicbrunt & @lucyparge are two of THE best.
"I learnt everything from them. Including expecting backlash from people who can’t separate fiction and reality. Lucy is incredible at her job and deserves all the plaudits. As Lucy AND Chas."
Chas started a sordid affair with wrong'un Al Chapman last year shortly after finding about her mum Faith’s terminal cancer diagnosis.
The landlady set her sights on Al, despite husband Paddy supporting her and later resolved to move away with the villain and take daughter Eve with her.
The affair was later exposed, leading Paddy struggling to come to terms with what happened, which launched a powerful mental health storyline.
Paddy considered taking his own life in heartbreaking scenes in the ITV soap after a build up of pain and confusion, which was triggered by the breakdown of his marriage.
Dominic has revealed how the heartbreaking storyline will affect Paddy going forward as he reaches out for help. He told The Mirror: "He's opened the door to it [suicide thoughts] now he's capable of having those thoughts, he’s capable of attempting to take his own life."
As he processes his feelings, Emmerdale viewers will see the true extent of Paddy’s deep depression in a storyline actor Dominic has said is a ‘great responsibility’.
Describing depression among men as ‘an inherent problem’, he stated: “Most men don’t talk enough about their problems".
If you are affected by this storyline, help can be found at andysmanclub.co.uk or www.samaritans.org
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
