Emmerdale's brutal prison attack leaves fans fuming as they spot major detail
Emmerdale viewers were left reeling after discovering Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) had suffered a brutal off-screen attack while in prison.
Ash, who plays the beloved character, has been at the centre of a harrowing storyline, with Matty being falsely accused of stabbing Samson Dingle (played by Sam Hall), a crime actually committed by Samson's new transphobic friend, Josh.
In the episode that aired on Tuesday July 9, 2024, fans saw Matty endure a tough time in jail as he encountered Robbo, a fellow inmate who unleashed a torrent of transphobic abuse upon learning about Matty's gender history from Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jamieson).
The situation escalated quickly, and Moira (Natalie J Robb), Matty's mother, was left distraught after receiving a phone call informing her that Matty had been assaulted in prison.
At the hospital, Matty was found with severe injuries including broken ribs and an eye socket fracture, with both Moira and Amy by his side, visibly upset.
However, Emmerdale aficionados expressed their confusion online, noting that the actual assault hadn't been shown on screen.
One fan pointed out the absence of the violent scene on Twitter: "7.30pm so we don't get to see the punch up".
While another questioned: ""Matty's been rushed to hospital" We haven't seen anything?!"
A third relieved viewer commented: "Not seeing Matty being beaten is a blessing. I really didn't want to see it."
As the episode came to a dramatic end, Matty was visited by fellow inmate Les (Stacey J Gough), who had been trying his best to keep him safe in prison.
However, it was revealed that all of Les's efforts were in vain - the attack on Matty had actually been a set-up, orchestrated by the pair in a bid to keep Matty out of harm's way.
Fans of the popular soap had plenty to say about this unexpected twist, although some remained sceptical. One viewer shared their thoughts, saying: "I quite like Matty's cell mate. I was quite worried he was going to be an a******* and would give him a hard time but he seems to always be looking out for him".
Another fan expressed their doubts on social media, admitting: "Just can't really see Matty asking Les to hurt him."
So what is the real story behind Matty's situation, and will he ever find peace in prison?
