Emmerdale fans seriously distracted as beloved character ‘goes missing’ from soap

VIEWERS were left scratching their heads during last night's trip to the Dales.

Some of them noticed an iconic character was missing from Emmerdale for the second time.

Last night's instalment of the ITV soap showed growing tension between Rhona Goskirk and Naomi Walters.

The village vet has been concerned about the latter's influence on her stepdaughter April Windsor.

But in the midst of this budding feud, some eagle-eyed soap fans noticed Woolpack bar manager Chas Dingle was missing out on all the action.

The long-standing character portrayed by Lucy Pargeter wasn't part of last night's Emmerdale instalment after vanishing on Friday.

Surprised viewers immediately headed to Twitter to vent about Chas' absence from the program.

"Another Chas free episode", one of them penned while another echoed alongside a photo of the character: "Just in case anyone is missing Chas."

One viewer seemed particularly happy that Chas was nowhere to be seen: "Another night without Chas", they commented, followed by a gif of cartoon character Homer Simpson cheering.

Chas has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks after her illicit romance with the late Al Chapman was exposed.

The affair made her into one of the most hated characters on the Yorkshire-based drama.

For several months, many fans of the soap took to social media to blast her as she embarked on her affair with Al.

Chas received no sympathy once Paddy revealed he knew all about her affair, demanding a divorce from her.

The pair have since been trying to co-parent their daughter Eve without any hostility.

"Chas is getting annoying now, it’s all me me me me", one viewer recently wrote.

"I can't stand Chas but hopefully she & Paddy can learn to co parent for Eve's sake", another fan added.

Paddy has been particularly hard on Chas but members of their family have also been involved.

While the vet tried to pressure Chas into leaving the eponymous village after their split, Belle and Mandy Dingle have made sure to make her feel as uncomfortable as possible for breaking Paddy's heart.

Could Paddy and Chas ever make amends?

Will her family ever forgive her?

Emmerdale airs from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.