REELING from her mother Faith’s cancer bombshell, Chas Dingle found a lover in her former nemesis, Al Chapman.
But according to Lucy Pargeter, many Emmerdale fans are holding a grudge, unable to empathise with her character’s decision.
Chas Dingle took Al Chapman on as a lover
She was horrified and reeling from the shock of Faith’s cancer bombshell
But many viewers are mad at Chas for embarking on the affair
The Woolpack pub manager was one of many residents who found out Faith was terminally ill during her birthday party.
But things only got worse for her when her mother categorically refused any form of treatment.
Overwhelmed, she eventually found support in the form of local businessman Al Chapman, played by Harry Potter actor Michael Wildman.
After battling for the Woolpack, the pair embarked on an illicit romance – but according to Lucy Pargeter, her character is the only one suffering from most of the backlash from ITV viewers.
“Generally, people are really not liking them together”, she first told HOAR.
“You’ve got the cheerleaders but you’ve also got the absolute haters for Chas.”
The 45-year-old soap star revealed that many fans of the Yorkshire-based drama are failing to empathise with her on-screen alter ego due to her using her affair as an escape from her problems.
Lucy insisted her relationship with Al began when she wanted “to release herself from everything going on in her life.”
But Chas’ husband Paddy Dingle (portrayed by Dominic Brunt), a fan favourite, is also making things worse for her among fans.
“We were never going to win people over with Paddy involved”, Lucy quipped.
Meanwhile, and as underlined by Michael Wildman, viewers seem to be more forgiving with Al, while they may still dislike him.
“They love to hate him”, the actor told HOAR.
However, Emmerdale fans may have to wave goodbye to Al Chapman after three years of him being in the village.
Michael sparked rumours he quit the soap, leading fans to think he may be killed off.
Emmerdale airs from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Chas’ husband Paddy is a fan favourite
Could Al soon be killed off?
