Emmerdale sparks uproar with 'character assassination' during milestone episode

As tonight's Emmerdale aired, the late Liv Dingle (Isobel Steele) was a topic of discussion as it was the anniversary of her passing. Her brother Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) joined Victoria Sugden (Isobel Hodgins) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) in the Woolpack and said to the pair: "You know it's Liv's anniversary today? I just wondered if you wanted to go for a walk with me? Liv always liked going for walks - and we said we were going to do something anyway."

"When were you thinking?" Victoria asked, to which Aaron said, "After this." Victoria agreed to go, but Robert insisted he had to speak to his parole officer in prison, even though viewers knew he was off to see his incarcerated lover, Kevin Townsend (Chris Coghill).

Fans were left raging over how the scriptwriters chose for Robert to skip Liv's memorial walk as they recalled how close he was to the late character, who was tragically killed three years ago when she was crushed by a caravan during a storm to mark Emmerdale's 50th anniversary.

Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "Deffo with the fans disappointed by the way Rob and Liv's relationship was thrown under the bus today - I loved their dynamic! I know #Emmerdale are going for a comedic hijinks story but what a shame he couldn't commemorate her! #Robron."

A second said: "We are so annoyed! Painting Rob as the 'love cheat' and bad guy yet again is so frustrating, and not showing him properly mourning Liv is actual character assassination."

A third added: "So disappointing & he didn't seem that upset about it. They could have gone to her grave after he got back. Would have liked a proper tribute to Liv & her relationship with both Aaron & Robert."

Someone else penned: "I loved their relationship! It was beautifulis a shame in the whole hour episode he couldn'tof done something with Aaron to remember her even if it was just the life of them."

Despite the backlash, another focused on the show's milestone and wrote: "HAPPY 53rd BIRTHDAY @emmerdale, thank you for all the years." Another said: "Happy birthday to my gorgeous farm soap

@emmerdale."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.