EMMERDALE has aired perhaps its most harrowing episode ever – with a villager suffering a tragic stillbirth and their pal being st@bbed to d3ath.

A special instalment revealed April Windsor’s (Amelia Flanagan) story since vanishing on Christmas Day.

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Emmerdale fans learned Amelia Winsdor’s tragic story since ChristmasCredit: ITV

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The teenager fell in with a crowd of young homeless peopleCredit: ITV

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April found a mentor in Becca, a member of the groupCredit: ITV
Viewers learned she hitched a lift in a stranger’s car and ended up at a hotel in Leeds.

April called several friends, in hope of a place to stay, but all turned her down.

Having run out of money, she had to sleep outside and was increasingly unsafe.

An opportunistic older man targeted April, but a boy named Dylan (Fred Kettle) intervened and saw him off.

Dylan brought her to a run-down building, where they met up with his friend Becca (Becca Ashton).

The two later became April’s protectors upon realising that she is pregnant.

Meanwhile, the episode explored the devastating impact of homelessness.

At one point, April and Becca begged members of the public for change, to little success.

An obnoxious woman later accused April of feigning her situation, due the trainers she had on.

When a sly thief swiped their scarcely remaining cash, Becca swiftly gave chase.

Marlon Dingle hiding a darking secret amid daughter April’s disappearance in Emmerdale

In a tragic twist, April ultimately found her new friend st@bbed in the street.

Both April and Dylan were left heartbroken by Becca’s d3ath – but it didn’t end there.

She soon discovered that Dylan was making money though s3x work and refused to accept cash from him.

A police raid later saw Dylan arrested while April fled, now left with nowhere to go.

In harrowing scenes, she was doubled over in pain while passers-by ignored her pleas for help.

April then gave birth to her stillborn baby in an dirty public toilet – and apologised over and over.

The episode ended with a defeated, weary April lying alone on a park bench.

Taking to X, a viewer wrote: “The @emmerdale April special, is gut wrenching, Amelia Flanagan is an absolute credit to the show, so much talent for such a young actress, she deserves many awards for this #Emmerdale.”

Another penned: “Wow emmerdale tonight is a must watch poor April.”

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

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A shock theft led to a heartbreaking outcomeCredit: ITV

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Viewers were left feeling devastated for AprilCredit: ITV