Lucky in love Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) has found himself the focal point of another love triangle and it’s time for him to make a tough decision in Emmerdale.
Liam must be dousing himself in pheromone aftershave for the way the women of the village fall at his feet.
He recently had Chas on the hook sparked by a simple baking session together, but after she became more preoccupied with her cancer, Liam turned his flirtations to new receptionist Ella (Paula Lane).
‘Ella and Liam’s relationship at this point is really playful’, Paula Lane explained. ‘From Ella’s point of view, she’s in a new environment and enjoying her new job – she loves the fact that Liam appreciates all her efforts in the surgery and laughs at her little quirks. This obviously does get quite flirty but as they are both single there is no harm done.’
The pair bonded over poisonous plants and cups of tea, but their flirtation was initially quashed by Manpreet (Rebecca Sarker) who deemed it ‘inappropriate in the workplace’.
Manpreet later rescinded her judgemental attitude when she realised the pair actually like each other, which prompted Ella to confess her crush on the doctor, leading to her inviting him on a date.
But later, Cain (Jeff Hordley) put Chas back on Liam’s radar by asking what went wrong with them. A crestfallen Liam told him that sadly, it hadn’t worked out. Cain gave him the go ahead to date Ella, but is that really what Liam wants?
Chas, for one, isn’t ready to let things go and Charity knows. She encourages her cousin to go for it and Chas gears herself up to tell the doc her feelings.
Meanwhile, Ella is given a nudge to make a move by Leyla (Roxy Shahidi), assuring her that it’s her Liam wants after misinterpreting a conversation with him.
So, Liam and Chas are both ready to confess their feelings, but before they reach each other, Ella gets there first, snogs Liam, and unwittingly pressures him into becoming a couple.
‘Liam and Chas clearly have a past and he really cares for her, the situation is complex’, Paula said. ‘Chas has shown immense strength with the recent breast cancer story and this has connected them on a very deep level. Liam and Ella are a fresh duo, they don’t know each other that well and for now make each other laugh a great deal – of course I’m going to say we make the best couple because it’s mysterious and new!’
Inarticulate Liam is too awkward to refuse and has instant regrets over committing to the wrong woman. Liam confides in Leyla what a cock up he’s made, and she urges him to set it right. Ella’s heart is set to be broken, but will Chas say yes?
‘I think Ella would be disappointed that she misread Liam’s intentions if she knew how strong his feelings for Chas really were but would let him go’, Paula added.
‘Ella is too much of a survivor though to dwell and am sure would dust herself down and pick herself up.’
