Emmerdale sparks outrage over schedule shake-up as fans miss villager's sudden exit

Emmerdale fans were left up in arms over a sudden schedule shake-up, leaving many missing the sudden departure of a beloved villager. On Tuesday (July 1), ITV bosses treated fans to a double-bill of the Yorkshire-based soap.

The sudden change comes after TV bosses were forced to change up this week's schedule to accommodate various sporting events including football and rugby. The hour-long episode will see the aftermath of Paddy's horror attack while Mack, Ross and Lewis clash horns. Minutes into the TV special, fans bid farewell to Paddy's dad Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) after a fierce clash with his father moments after saving him from a dog attack.

Halfway through the show a wave of new viewers flooded to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their disappointime online. One user fumed: "Noooo I've missed half an hour of #Emmerdale ... why do the tiles always have to change."

Another agreed: "Oh no I've missed the early start #Emmerdale." A third complained: "#emmerdale nooooo, did it start early?" as a fourth echoed: "The 7.30 people have missed Bear's departure #Emmerdale."

Meanwhile, one viewer advised fans who tuned in late: "ITV+! for the 7.30pm shifters. It'll start at 8 [cry-laughing emoji] #Emmerdale." But that wasn't the only jaw-dropping revelation that took pace in the hour-long special.

At the end of the show, a dangerous new alliance formed in the Dales as new villain Ray (Joe Absolom) made his debute - and it's bad luck for Ross Barton (Michael Parr). The character arrived claiming to be an acquaintance of Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb).

He claimed he was selling farm machinery and was looking to see if anyone was interested, but soon his real agenda became clear when he was shown the weed crops that were stashed in the barn.

Ross, his brother Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) - who owns the cannabis and has been harvisting it for a while - and Mack, were secretly hiding the crops there with a plan to sell it for money.

With Moira Dingle's (Natalie J. Robb) farm facing closure and the family in financial crisis, Macl blamed himself for his sister's difficult situation and needed to make cash quick.

This is a breaking live TV story, theShowbiz Express.co.uk team will be updating this story with the latest information as soon as we receive it. For further updates, please refresh the page

You can also get email updates on the day's biggest TV stories straight to your inbox by_signing up for our TV newsletter.

Get all the very best news, pictures, opinion and video on your favourite TV shows by followingExpress.co.uk every time you see our name.

• Follow Express on Google News -CLICK HERE

• Follow Express on Apple News -_ CLICK HERE__ available on Apple devices_

• Follow Express on _Flipboard - _CLICK HERE and click follow

You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news and all the latest updates by following@Daily_Express, or for the latest TV and showbiz news, follow@expressceleb

Keep up-to-date with your must-see TV stories, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at

Express Celebrity