Charity and Chas Turn to Crime in Emmerdale to Get Rid of Dr Todd
Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) has been throwing a lot of empty threats at Dr Todd (Caroline Harker) in Emmerdale, but it’s time to get serious with her blackmailer. Todd has got her claws into Charity over knowing the true parentage of baby Leyla, using the knowledge to extort thousands out of the pub landlady, and Charity has finally had enough.
So far, Todd has had her over a barrel and Charity has had no choice but to comply. At first, Todd’s financial ask was somewhat modest, a few grand here and there. But Charity’s son, Ryan Stocks (James Moore), accidentally let slip that she owns half the pub and Todd’s eyes lit up with pound signs. Since then, her plan has been to rinse Charity of £100,000, giving Charity no option but to sell her share of the pub to raise the cash.
Charity had been on the lookout for buyers and seemingly hitting the jackpot when Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) showed an interest. When Caleb Miligan (William Ash) shut that down after Ruby revealed she’d turn the place into a trendy bistro, Charity turned to the dark side – Kim Tate (Claire King). Kim gave Charity the runaround, offering a measly £130K for the boozer. And Charity was desperate enough to accept as Todd’s vile threats have hit a whole other level. But Kim pulls out of the deal, leaving Charity on her knees. She has nothing left, not even integrity, and begs Kim for a loan. But the bank of Kim says no, leaving Charity yelling in fury.
Charity has met her match in Todd. Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) confronts her cousin about her weird behaviour and broken Charity finally crumbles. She shares the burden with Chas that she’s being blackmailed – and in fairness, it’s all Chas’ fault for blabbing in Todd’s earshot. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the two Dingles concoct a plan to get that money – steal it from Home Farm. Because all good plans start with trying to rip off Kim.
Later, Charity is pleased with herself as she’s able to give Todd some cash as a down payment, but scrupulous Todd is having none of it. She gives Charity a final 24 hours before her secret is released – the plan is to blow it at Sarah Sugden’s (Katie Hill) 21st birthday.
There are so many mysteries surrounding Todd. The questions that no one seems to be asking are why her divorce left her so ruined (she must have done something terrible for her partner to win it all) and what did the hospital have that forced her into early retirement? There is clearly way more to come from this one and Charity knows it. Is Vanessa Woodfield (Michelle Hardwick) at risk?
