Emmerdale fans were left emotional as Arthur Thomas came out as gay. In recent episodes, viewers of the ITV soap were worried for the teen as he appeared troubled and unlike his usual self. Fans had been hoping for a sweet young romance between Arthur and April Windsor but the schoolboy fobbed his friend off.
April feared Arthur was avoiding her due to her feelings and after being teased about his relationship with April by Noah Dingle, Arthur was seen crying at his late father Ashley Thomas's grave.
During Monday night's trip to the fictional Yorkshire village, viewers saw Arthur's hidden woes continue. After being teased by Jimmy in the cafe, he later snapped at April when she challenged him on avoiding her. Marcus, who appeared to want to take Arthur under his wing, again showed his support before Charles Anderson also spoke to the youngster and suggested he speak to his son, Ethan.
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Later, while at Nicola's house with sister Dotty and her children Angel and Elliot, Nicola addressed Arthur's behaviour towards April and told him he shouldn't be speaking to her like that. While the other children went off to play a video gam, Arthur asked Nicola to continue the game of hangman the kids had played.
In tear-jerking scenes, Arthur spelled out 'I am gay', and as he broke down, Nicola embraced her friend's son. "I'm so proud of you," she told him before the pair chatted further, with Arthur sharing his fears that he'd be made fun of at school. As Nicola suggested speaking to his mum, Arthur begged Nicola not to tell Laurel and declared: "I'm not ready!"
While she agreed not to say anything, she added: "It's your life, but if Laurel was here now, she'd wrap you in her arms and tell you to dry those tears… When you are ready to come out, if you need me to be there, you just say the word." And Emmerdale fans were quick to flock to social media to praise the moving coming out scenes.
@RyanTheSoapking tweeted: "Arthur's coming out scene was beautiful. This is a great storyline. Well done Emmerdale I hope you do it justice. #Emmerdale." @WriterWil praised: "I have to commend #Emmerdale on the beautifully sensitive handling of Arthur's coming out. Superb performances from Nicola Wheeler & Alfie Clarke showing fear and confusion balanced by solidarity and support. This will help lots of young people, and I applaud it."
@radievdb wrote: "Knew it. And THANK you Emmerdale for this beautiful, amazing coming out scene between Arthur and Nicola. Wow. Just beautifully done." @chippie1973 shared: "Absolutely broke me.. but so beautifully done, (am in floods)." @jules_6462 addeD: "@emmerdale beautifully done it made me cry - well done on this episode."
But viewers also shared their concerns. As Arthur and Nicola pair spoke, they were overheard by Elliot who had walked back into the room and was secretly listening to their conversation and saw Arthur's notepad in which he wrote down the truth about his sexuality. And fans are worried the story may take a negative turn.
@sky19611 said: "Emmerdale please don’t turn this in to a bullying issue. It’s has been handle so sensitive so far." @emmbayli echoed: "This was done so well. But please don't turn it in to bulling episodes."' @kirsty.innes wrote: "Well handled up until the earwigging."
@pippa73 complained: "This was done so beautifully just a shame it wasn't just kept there! Had to be given the someone overhears and now more drama took the sentiment of it all away tbh." @doteen added: "So beautifully done tonight with Arthur on #emmerdale he's a great young fella and I cried for him. I didn't like the way though that Elliot found the sheet. Hope now this storyline is done properly, no bullying please. So impressed with Nicola. Great acting by Arthur."
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