Why is Emmerdale’s Rhona Goskirk in court and what’s her history with Gus?

Emmerdale’s Rhona Goskirk will find herself in a court horror this week as she goes against ex Gus Malcolms.

Viewers will recall that last year, Rhona found out ex-husband Gus and his partner Lucy were expecting a baby together despite them telling Rhona months earlier that they were having fertility issues and could not conceive a child.

Years earlier, Rhona and Gus had IVF treatment which led to them freezing some embryos, but when they split up Rhona assumed they were destroyed. Gus stopped this from happening, before asking if he and Lucy could use them a year ago.

Rhona declined, but Gus forged her signature and Lucy fell pregnant with his and Rhona’s embryo. Tragically Lucy died while giving birth to baby Ivy leaving her partner distraught and grief-stricken, while Rhona was torn that a baby that was biologically hers no longer had a mother.

What started as Rhona and her family helping Gus out led to Rhona admitting she could not let go of Ivy, and wanting to be part of her life. A war forged between the parents as Gus planned to flee with the baby only for Rhona to take Ivy away from the village, with her arrested for kidnap.

As both of them faced trouble with the police, Gus decided to come to a compromise suggesting they both change their statements so that neither of them had to go to court. Gus also claimed he would call off the move and come to an agreement with her over access to her daughter. But Rhona soon realised he was lying and that his plans had not changed at all, resulting in her vowing to get Ivy home with her.

This week sees Rhona prepare for court as she dreads facing her kidnap charges. Soon the day arrives and as they’re called in for the trial, Gus begins to twist the narrative as a horrified Rhona watches on. However, it’s not long until Rhona’s defence fights back when they begin to question Gus’ good character.

Later, Rhona’s best friend and co-worker Vanessa Woodfield prepares to take the stand, where Rhona hopes the tide is beginning to turn but will Vanessa be caught out by the prosecution’s questions? When it’s Rhona’s turn to take to the stand, the character faces the prosecution’s accusations about her character to which a fired-up Rhona begins to lose her composure, lashing out at Gus.

When the judge adjourns for the day, Rhona is left kicking herself for getting so upset and wonders if it has ruined her chances in court while a smug Gus revels in her discomfort. Meanwhile, at the same time, Paddy’s attempts to distract April go terribly wrong when The Woolpack descends into a debate about Rhona’s court case.

As the debate rages on, April worries that if even Rhona’s friends can’t agree, then how will the jury. Later, as the jury heads off to deliberate, Rhona’s fate hangs in the balance and she paces anxiously as she awaits their decision. Could this be an exit for Rhona after 23 years on the soap?