Emmerdale fans reeling as character killed off in chilling cover-up

Things went from bad to worse on Emmerdale for April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) as Friday evening's episode opened with a gripping scene. Viewers of the ITV soap tuned in to see her stood over the limp body of her client as she shook violently and dropped a glass bottle, which she had hit him with, to the floor.

It comes as drug dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and his crime boss Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) were forcing the youngster into sexual favours with clients. The last time April met a so-called "private client," things took a terrifying turn when an older man, Tim, made it clear he was sexually interested in her - prompting her to flee the hotel room in panic. This time, she panicked once more but things came to a tragic end as she desperately tried to get out of the seedy situation. When the client realised she was trying to escape, he threatened to call Celia and demand his money back, leaving April trapped and terrified. When he became angry she reacted in fear as she grabbed the vodka bottle and struck him in the head - leaving him lifeless and bloody.

Tonight's episode saw Ray and Celia rush to the hotel as they realised what had happened and they desperately tried to come up with a plan. "None of this is coming back on me, which means you're off the hook too," Celia snarled into April's face.

The teenager thanked her, but that's when it dawned on her that she had just dug herself a bigger hole, as Celia said: "Don't worry, there will be so many opportunities for you to prove how grateful you are."

However, as the soap villains plotted a cover-up, with Ray quickly ringing a man with a van to dispose of the body, fans were left screaming at their TVs as they asked the same question about why she April won't get her family to help.

Taking to X/Twitter, one quizzed: "The thing I don't get with this April storyline is that she's a Dingle. Cain, Caleb, Charity and Chas would be queuing up to put Celia in her place and that's before we've even got started on what Ross would do #Emmerdale."

Another echoed: "I still don't understand why April never told her family about Celia and Ray- she's related to Cain Dingle! He'd sort those two out in a heartbeat! #Emmerdale."

One more said: "If April isn't going to the police, just tell Ross, I'd like to see him sort it out #emmerdale."

Other fans shared theories for April's future, with one suggesting: "I think April gets sent down because Amelia Flanagan is a taking a break from #emmerdale to do her A-levels."

Another theorised: "I bet the fella isn't actually dead, April will somehow find out, she'll tell D man and together with Ross they'll bring Ray down. Or kill him #Emmerdale."

Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX