Debbie Dingle (played by Charley Webb) was heartbroken when she discovered her daughter Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) needed a heart transplant in last night’s episode of Emmerdale.
Alarm bells started ringing when Sarah was caught by the police for joyriding with Leanna, Jacob and Noah, as she failed to escape due to being short of breath.
The youngster also showed signs of being unwell when she was questioned by police at the station, where she blurted out her mum’s involvement in the acid attack on Ross Barton (Michael Parr).
Later when policemen arrived at Debbie’s house, Sarah was seen grasping for air before collapsing as the cops walked in.
The teen was rushed to hospital where Debbie was told her heart could be failing and her illness may have been brought on by her chemotherapy.
Sarah was diagnosed with the life-limiting condition Falconi Anaemia in 2011 and fought cancer last year.
Life-changing surgery may be the only way to save her.
“Sarah is quite shocked, obviously, there was talk of there being a problem as the days went on, but then obviously there was this huge shock of her actually needing a heart transplant,” Charley told What’s on TV.
“She’s a bit emotional about it, she takes it out on Debbie at first, but she does deal with it really well.”
Charley, 30, also spoke about her on-screen character’s surprise at learning Sarah is ill again.
She said: “Debbie is shocked; at first she thought the cancer was back and obviously the relief was huge when she knew it wasn’t.
“But then the news that she needs a transplant isn’t great. Obviously for any parent to have a child who is so ill is terrible.”
When asked about Sarah telling the police about Debbie’s involvement in the acid attack on Ross, she replied: “I think she accepts it. She doesn’t shout at her, she says it’s fine.”
She added: “I think Sarah is a bit confused in terms of what Debbie was actually involved in.
“She thinks at times that Debbie paid for it to happen, which wasn’t the case. So she calms down when she realises the actual truth and realises it was a tragic accident.”
After Sarah’s shock confession, Debbie may be forced to defend herself in court while her daughter struggles to stay alive.
Will she find herself inside of a prison cell during Sarah’s illness, or could ex-lover Joseph Tate (Ned Porteous) donate a lawyer to help her case?
Charley, a mother-of-two, also praised her co-star Katie, with her saying: “I think she’s amazing; she’s so talented.
“She spends a lot of time at my house with my children.”
Emmerdale continues tonight on ITV at 7pm.
