Emmerdale's Karen Blick shares first real reaction to Lydia rape storyline and tells how on-screen husband reacted

Emmerdale star Karen Blick has shared her honest first reaction to her upcoming storyline which will see her character raped. The ITV soap revealed last week that Lydia Dingle will be attacked by a recently re-acquainted childhood friend.

The episode featuring Lydia's assault, airing in early September, will follow the character as she bonds with Craig, with whom she had a stillborn baby when they were in a teenage relationship while living in the same children's home. Lydia has already been telling Craig about their son, Toby, after he spotted her at a jobs fair at the Hide.

He has since offered her a job cleaning at his gaming firm, much to the delight of stepson Samson who is after some work experience and much to the dismay of her husband, Sam.

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But Lydia and Craig will continue to bond and talk about their baby before his behaviour turns sinister and he forces himself on her. And viewers will then see Lydia grapple with the aftermath of her ordeal as she weighs up whether or not to report the assault to police.

The storyline has been produced with the support of the charity Rape Crisis England and Wales, to ensure Dingle’s story is portrayed accurately and sensitively. Previously speaking about the storyline as it was confirmed, Karen said: "Lydia’s rape is one of the most important and sensitive stories I have been part of during my time in Emmerdale.

"The research, preparation and aftermath of this story has been challenging and eye-opening for me. One in four women have been raped or sexually assaulted as an adult, and after reading this statistic I found myself standing in the canteen at ITV looking around as that