The following article contains discussion of child s.e.x.u.a.l abuse.
Emmerdale fans were utterly devastated watching last night’s episode as a flashback confirmed Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) was sexually abused by her dad Anthony (Nicholas Day) when she was younger.
Anthony arrived in the village shortly after Ruby and Caleb’s (William Ash) daughter Steph (Georgia Jay). Ruby was on edge immediately when she faced her father again, but it was only yesterday we came to understand why.
In flashback sequences, we saw Ruby at a party on her 16th birthday.
She regularly hung out with friend Rob, someone Anthony wanted Ruby to be in a relationship with.
Despite Anthony’s claims that she slept with Rob at the party, the flashbacks confirmed that Rob and Ruby were just friends, with Rob interested in another boy named Darren.
After the party, Anthony entered Ruby’s bedroom while her mother was out and locked the door.
In upcoming episodes of the ITV soap, Ruby will feel under pressure when Steph insists Anthony spends Christmas Day with them.
Desperate to dilute Anthony’s presence, Ruby finds Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and invites her family over. Unbeknownst to her though, Caleb is speaking to Moira (Natalie J Robb) and Cain (Jeff Hordley) and inviting them as well.
At Mill Cottage on Christmas Day, Ruby feels sick to her stomach as Anthony continues to try and slot himself into the family.
Matters are made worse when Anthony stands to make an announcement – he’s staying in the village for the foreseeable.
The family then head to the pub for a few drinks after their dinner. To Ruby’s horror, Anthony stays behind.
Feeling incredibly on edge, Ruby grabs the carving knife and warns her dad to stay well away from her.
Emmerdale producer, Laura Shaw, said of this storyline: ‘Ruby has always been troubled and volatile in nature and finally our audience will be able to learn more about the past that has haunted her and made Ruby the woman she is today.’
