Last week’s instalment of the BBC’s Irish drama saw Greg (played by Christopher) struggle to cope one year after the love of his life and wife Marie (Paula Malcomson) left him and their three children.
Fighting to find his way in the aftermath of her shock decision and as the pair waded through divorce waters, Greg struck up a new relationship with local Sandwich girl Brenna (Kerri Quinn).
Yet the terrible decision inadvertently put the devoted father’s children in danger as the troubled Brenna had only just escaped her abusive husband.
During tonight’s gripping instalment viewers were mostly shown the story from Marie’s perspective as she navigated her new life as a childless woman.
Yet in the programme’s final minutes Brenna’s husband, who is desperate to get his son back, suddenly showed up at Greg’s door to find 14-year-old Laura (Lola Petticrew).
Yet in the programme’s final minutes Brenna’s husband, who is desperate to get his son back, suddenly showed up at Greg’s door to find 14-year-old Laura (Lola Petticrew).
Clearly high on drugs and alcohol, the seething character punched Laura in the face in a shocking move that left viewers absolutely horrified.
What’s more, the violence didn’t stop there, as the abuser proceeded to slam the youngster against the stairs and pin her up against the wall.
“Where’s my kid?” He spat. “Nice house, nice area, Brenna’s really come up in the world hasn’t she.”
Laura managed to escape the house before running into her mother Marie in the street, and the pair shared a heart-wrenching embrace.
But viewers were unimpressed with the scenes, and instantly took to Twitter to express their anger.
One person wrote: “#ComeHome – so now we’re punching a teen girl in the face! BBC…….”
“#ComeHome omg omg noooooooo what the hell is this violence!” another stunned viewer said.
A third agreed: “Omg that’s f**ing barbaric she’s only a wee kid ffs #ComeHome.”
While a fourth continued: “Well that was 58 minute of sheer boredom followed by 1 minute of nasty, gratuitous violence against a teenage girl. Thanks #BBC1 #ComeHome.”
“This is upsetting #ComeHome,” another fan posted.
Meanwhile, viewers were shocked to learn the truth about exactly why Marie had left.
One person shared: “#ComeHome ooo she had an affair that why she left guilt.”
“See, told you Laura was Billy’s. Next week it will turn out that Greg was never a biological father and that Billy is having sex with psycho b**ch,” another said.
Come Home continues Tuesday at 9pm on BBC One.
