Emmerdale Spoilers 24th - 28th JULY

[alan45]

Rhona is a bundle of nerves as Pierces trial gets underway and matters aren't helped when an anxious Vanessa makes a big mistake on the stand. Could he get away with his crime?

[tammyy2j]

I think Pierce will be sent down

[Perdita]

Monday

Frank raises a toast to Megan, but Charity spots Megan flinching at his affection.

Charity doesn't waste much time before confronting Megan over what she's seen, but is she right about Megan's secret plans for revenge?

Meanwhile, Priya takes a pregnancy test in the toilets at the pub and Leyla Harding discovers it¦.

Elsewhere, Rhona is nervous ahead of Pierce's trial starting.


Tuesday

Hour-long episode

Rhona is relieved to learn that her sex tape won't be used as evidence at Pierce's rape trial after all, but she still struggles with the line of questioning.

Rhona breaks down under the pressure of the situation, while Pierce expertly portrays the role of a falsely accused victim. When the first day of the trial ends, Rhona feels defeated. Is all hope lost?

Meanwhile, Robert is feeling sorry for himself and gets drunk at the pub. As a result, Victoria has to take him home. Later, Robert falls down the stairs at home, but Rebecca takes pity on him and gets him to hospital.

Elsewhere, Lachlan is uneasy.


Wednesday

It's Vanessa's turn to give evidence in court, but she's nervous about the situation and ends up telling lies.

When Vanessa's dishonesty gets called up, Pierce feels more smug than ever and Rhona is terrified that she's going to lose the case.

Meanwhile, it's Lachlan's birthday and he's planning to sleep with Belle tonight. Unfortunately, Gerry has a nasty surprise for Lachlan by spiking his drink with a laxative.

Elsewhere, Harriet is fearful.


Thursday (1)

Rhona takes control by confronting Pierce in private and threatening him, admitting that she's prepared to lie to get him sent down.

Pierce finally seems to acknowledge his crime as they talk between themselves, but will he be so honest in the courtroom?

Meanwhile, Lachlan is furious that Gerry ruined his night with Belle by spiking his drink with a laxative. When Lachlan sees Gerry trying to kiss Belle himself, will he take revenge?

Elsewhere, Cain considers taking action.


Thursday (2)

Rhona is left in shock as Pierce's trial takes more twists and turns.

Pierce looks nauseous as he takes to the stand, but did Rhona's warnings get through to him?

Meanwhile, Harriet is less than impressed.

Elsewhere, Lawrence masks his concern.


Friday

Rhona is left reeling as Pierce's verdict is revealed, but will it be guilty or not guilty?

Meanwhile, Chrissie has a meeting with "Simon".

Elsewhere, Moira offers her advice.



Digital Spy

[Perdita]

7886 Monday 24th July 7pm - 7:30pm

Megan becomes edgy.
Priya is caught out.
Rhona feels reassured.

7887 and 7888 Tuesday 25th July 7pm – 8pm

Rhona is under pressure.
Robert feels sorry for himself.
Lachlan is uneasy.

7889 Wednesday 26th July 7pm - 7:30pm

Vanessa resorts to drastic measures.
Lachlan feels embarrassed.
Harriet’s fearful.

7890 Thursday 27th July 7pm - 7:30pm

Rhona takes control.
Lachlan is fuming.
Cain considers taking action.

7891 Thursday 27th July 8pm - 8:30pm

Rhona is in shock.
Harriet’s less than impressed.
Lawrence masks his concern.

7892 Friday 28th July 7pm - 7:30pm

Rhona is left reeling.
Chrissie has a meeting.
Moira offers her advice.


ITV

[lizann]

is gerry going to be lachlan murder victim too?

[EddyBee]

is gerry going to be lachlan murder victim too?

I think so. I have a feeling that once he makes a pass at Belle, his days will be strictly numbered. I'm hoping that I'm wrong because I really like the character.

[mariba]

Who's Gerry?

[Perdita]

Who's Gerry?

Lachlan's cell mate from prison

[mariba]

That useless pr***!!! Really?! No wonder I haven't taken any notice... Didn't even know up to now who he was, just wondering all the time why he's hanging around at the home farm! And definitely didn't know his name! So thank you for clarifying that for me

[Perdita]

Emmerdale fans will be desperate to see justice served next week as Pierce Harris stands trial for raping Rhona Goskirk.

The emotional and tense scenes play out over a week's worth of episodes, but the big question is who the jury will believe after hearing Rhona's honest testimony and Pierce's pack of lies.

Here are the seven biggest spoilers you need to know for the must-see week, with some extra insight from Zoe Henry and Jonathan Wrather, who play Rhona and Pierce.

1. Pierce's early setback

Pierce Harris listens to Rhona Goskirk give evidence in Emmerdale
© ITV
Viewers and villagers alike have been disgusted by Pierce's plans to use the sex tape he made with Rhona as part of his defence. Rhona has learned that Pierce wants to make out they had an adventurous relationship to "explain" the bruises she had when she went to the police.

Fortunately, the trial week begins with an early loss for Pierce when he's told that the sex tape can't be played as part of the evidence. Although Pierce's lawyer still makes reference to the tape, could his defence be falling apart already?

2. Martha returns

Pierce's mother Martha will also be part of the trial episodes. After her recent stalking antics, it's no surprise that she's still backing her son all the way, having brushed aside her previous concerns about his dark side.

Despite that, Pierce soon shows his true colours to Martha by blaming her for his problems and turning violent with her, leaving marks on her arms. Is this another insight into their own traumatic history? Could Martha live to regret her support of Pierce?

3. Rhona struggles in the courtroom


It's a brave moment for Rhona when she takes to the stand and recalls her ordeal with Pierce in front of the whole courtroom, but she struggles with the line of questioning from the defence. This includes making out that Rhona actually left Pierce on her wedding day because she was still in love with her ex-husband Paddy, which seems to be backed up by the recent photos which show them hugging.

After breaking down when Pierce's defence try to portray him as a falsely accused victim, Rhona feels defeated and fears she's missed her chance to see justice served.

Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona, revealed: "Rhona thinks she doesn't stand a chance, particularly after she's first in the dock. It goes very well with the prosecution, as you would imagine, but Pierce's defence lawyer absolutely annihilates her.

"It becomes quite clear that Rhona's losing it and the jury are wavering almost immediately."

4. Vanessa's lies exposed

There's no doubt that Vanessa is the most loyal of Rhona's friends, but she might be taking this too far when she's called to give evidence on the second day of the trial and resorts to a desperate tactic of her own.

Knowing that things aren't looking good for Rhona, Vanessa lies to the court by claiming that Pierce once confessed to her in private. This deception is quickly exposed and Rhona is left terrified that she's now even more likely to lose the case thanks to Vanessa.

Zoe explained: "Vanessa tries her best to help, but she actually ends up making things a whole lot worse. Pierce never told Vanessa that he raped Rhona, so her lies undermine everything.

"We're in court for five days on screen, and by the end of the second day, the audience will be thinking: 'That's not looking good for Rhona'. And it isn't, it really isn't."

5. Rhona confronts Pierce


Soap characters often can't resist ignoring protocol at trials and this one is no exception, with Rhona taking an opportunity to boldly confront Pierce in private during a break in proceedings.

Following Pierce into a side room, Rhona resorts to threatening Pierce and admits that she's even prepared to lie to the court if it means getting him sent down. This clearly has a big impact on Pierce, and with nobody else around to hear him, he seems to acknowledge his crime for the first time.

Zoe revealed: "It's total opportunistic moment, really. Rhona sees Pierce go into an empty room and thinks: 'Well it's now or never really. This is going so badly that actually doing what I'm about to do can't possibly make it any worse'. So she goes in, he's on his own and she shuts the door and locks it and says: 'I want to hear you say it'."

Jonathan Wrather, who plays Pierce, added: "What happens in the room totally knocks the wind out of Pierce's sails because he's never seen Rhona like that. He's rather threatened by that and actually it breaks him down. He cracks and he confesses to her. He doesn't say he's sorry, it's all he can do to sort of nod and say: 'I did it, yeah'."

6. Pierce gives evidence


When Pierce heads back into the courtroom, Rhona is full of fresh hope that he'll finally tell the truth in light of the confession he's just made to her in private.

Pierce looks anxious and nauseous as he's taken through his questioning, but has Rhona really got through to him or is she getting her hopes up for nothing?

Jonathan explained: "After the showdown in the side room, they are all back in court and we wait to see if Pierce comes clean or not..."

7. Pierce's verdict revealed

Emmerdale fans will have to tune in on Friday, July 28 to see a verdict reached in Pierce's case.

There are strong rumours suggesting that Pierce is leaving the show either way and Jonathan Wrather – who plays him – has promised that he'll ultimately face the consequences of his actions. But will he be heading to jail, or will justice be served another way back in the village?


Digital Spy