Emmerdale spoilers follow for Thursday's (April 23) episode that is now available to view on ITVX. The episode in question will air on ITV1 at 7:30pm.
It is not often that Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) is at a loss for words, but the Woolpack landlady was left utterly speechless when sinister schemer Dr Todd (Caroline Harker) proceeded to blackmail her. Todd, as viewers know, has made Jacob Sugden's (Joe-Warren Plant) life a living hell since starting work at Hotten General last year. From making him second-guess every decision he makes to leaving his confidence levels on the floor, the dastardly doctor has stopped at nothing to exert her power and control, leaving Jacob feeling like a shell of his former self.
The young medical student has worked all the hours requested of him and often stays up late to complete assignments with unrealistic deadlines set by Todd, who is quite clearly hoping for him to fail. When he rises to the challenge, she instead berates his efforts, claiming he needs to up his game before passing his work off as her own. Fed up with the bullying, Jacob reported Todd to HR earlier this week and subsequently told his so-called mentor about the complaint, refusing to be pushed around any longer.
But Todd saw an opportunity to play the situation to her advantage after she saved the life of Charity, who had just given birth to Jacob and Sarah's (Katie Hill) baby in a hospital lift. Jacob was thankful for Todd's intervention, but she soon branded him 'weak,' arguing that if he follows through with the complaint and she were to lose her job, then future patients might die. Jacob clapped back at such a notion, stating that she is the threat as her behaviour could result in future doctors not being able to proceed with their careers due to her treatment of them.
It was clear Todd was on edge as Jacob refused to back down. But then she acquired the leverage she so desperately craved. While outside the hospital, Todd overheard a private conversation in which Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) mentioned that the baby Charity delivered is not actually Jacob and Sarah's but rather her own biological child following a one-night stand with Ross Barton (Michael Parr). Without so much as wasting a second, villainous Todd stopped by Charity's hospital room, where she proceeded to reveal that she knows Jacob is not the father. Charity was left reeling.
Todd assured her that this conversation would stay between them, but in Thursday's edition of the ITV soap, she made her move, asking Charity to get Jacob to drop the complaint – or else! Charity branded the situation 'blackmail,' and it most certainly was. But Todd executed the plan in her typical manipulative fashion, with a smile and a soothing tone of voice to make herself appear less threatening before delivering the crushing demand.
Later, Jacob paid Charity a visit, and despite her reservations, she did what Todd asked, claiming the young medical student could be putting his career at risk if he follows through with this complaint. Left with food for thought, Jacob ultimately withdrew his complaint. Todd was left grinning with glee, but despite her claims of wanting them to have a fresh start, it is clear that Jacob's nightmare is only just beginning.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 or streams from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
