Charity Dingle Tate Sharma (Emma Atkins)

Emmerdale's Charity Sharma drops a huge bombshell on husband Jai next week, confessing to her recent passionate encounter with Declan Macey.

Charity hopes to get her marriage back on track when Jai (Chris Bisson) returns to the village following his business trip, but one of her enemies is about to throw a spanner in the works.

When scheming Cameron Murray (Dominic Power) discovers Charity and Declan's secret and threatens to reveal all to their respective partners, Charity decides to take the power out of his hands by telling Jai the truth…

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - shares all the gossip on her character's big confession.

What was Charity thinking when she slept with Declan?
"I don't think Charity thought about any of the consequences. She just went in head-first, as she often does! I think she fancies Declan and there's definitely a chemistry between them, but that's as far as it goes.

"That chemistry between Charity and Declan has been there right from the beginning, when she stole his car from under his nose. I think it's safe to say that they fancy each other, but as much as that's a mutual attraction, they both understand that sleeping together was a one-off."

Declan has been very worried about Katie possibly finding out the truth. Is Charity equally anxious about hiding her secret from Jai?
"Well, the severity of what she's done does start to dawn on her, but up until that point, she feels quite self-righteous because Jai has gone away from the village and he's been acting really peculiar. In her eyes, she is kind of single!"

Has she missed Jai while he's been away from the village?
"Yeah, Charity has missed Jai a lot, and I think that really begins to dawn on her. She loves him and what she's done is a very selfish act, but only now does the guilt kick in. I think it does affect her more than she would like it to.

"Charity absolutely wants a reconciliation with Jai when he returns, so she doesn't want him to find out that she's slept with Declan. But then Cameron starts threatening her, which makes her feel even more guilt and more shame. She wonders what she should do."

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Cameron spies on Declan and Charity.


How does Cameron find out the truth about Charity and Declan?
"I think Cameron is just searching for any avenue where he can just put the Dingles in their place, because they've really shunned Chas for what she's done to Debbie. He'll take any chance to call them hypocrites and point out that they're just as bad.

"Cameron just gets a sniff that something funny is going on between Charity and Declan when he sees them talking at the pub. He follows them out, pretends to be collecting glasses and actually sees that there's something going on. It's obvious to him that there's more to their conversation than meets the eye."

What happens next?
"Cameron calls Charity's bluff outside the toilets in The Woolpack. He just says, 'I know things about you'. Then Charity is running scared and really concerned. She thinks he knows everything.

"Cameron is a nasty, dark and sinister character. Charity is more than aware of that and what he's capable of. He's destroyed Debbie's confidence and he even sometimes fronts up to Cain - not a lot of people do that! For him to have this hold over Charity is just horrendous."

To make matters even more complicated, Katie then invites Charity and Jai over for dinner with her and Declan at Home Farm! How does it go?
"It's the most uncomfortable scenario, but it'll be great for the audience to watch them all squirm! Katie is none the wiser about what's going on, but Charity is desperate to just get it out now and confess. However, Declan is desperately begging Charity not to make a scene and let the cat out of the bag. Everyone at the dinner has different agendas!"

This leads to Charity telling Jai the truth, doesn't it?
"It does! The dinner is too much for Charity to cope with, so she decides to announce that she's leaving. Declan goes mad and tells Charity to stop acting weird, but that drives her all the more potty! When she does leave, Jai follows her out and there's a big showdown. She then releases the bombshell that she slept with Declan.

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Jai confronts Declan and Charity.


"I think Charity is pretty unwise to tell Jai right outside Declan's house, as he's not going to walk in the opposite direction! He's pretty much going to walk in and have it out with Declan, and that's what he does. Declan realises that Charity has told Jai the truth."

Fortunately for Declan, Katie is upstairs and doesn't find out what's been going on - at least for now! How do you think Katie would react to the truth?
"Well, the thing about Declan and Katie is that they were estranged when it happened, so you could effectively say that they were split up, too. If they were on a break, maybe Declan's got every right to sleep with someone.

"But I just think Declan can do without the added hassle of this situation. He's a shrewd businessman, so he's not going to want this annoying thing on his plate. Declan is getting his life and relationship with Katie back on track, so he's not going to want a silly one-night stand with Charity to jeopardise that. I don't believe he has any true feelings for Charity."

Jai's secret is also in the mix…
"I love the layers of that! The audience will probably be going, 'You don't have to feel so guilty, Charity, because he's done a lot worse!'"

With Charity's infidelity out in the open, Jai actually considers confessing his own secret too. How would Charity react if he did?
"I think she'd just probably go ballistic! She'd be shocked that she didn't know it was going on all along. It's the ultimate betrayal - that all of it has been going on in the village under her nose.

"If anyone likes to play tricks and be conniving, it's Charity. For Jai to have behaved in this way is just shocking, so I think the revelation will be awesome whenever it happens."

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Jai is still hiding his own secret.


Do you have your own ideas on how Charity should react when Jai's secret comes to light?
"I quite like Charity when she plots and goes underground. I'd like a secret plot of vengeance - I think that'd be great. Maybe the audience could see that Charity has found out, but Jai doesn't know. I'd quite like to see that, but I think the audience will want to see a big showdown!"

Do you think there's any hope for Charity and Jai's marriage in the long-run?
"I think once Jai's secret comes out, they'll struggle to keep their marriage afloat. Already they've been under a lot of tension and strain, so I'd argue that maybe this time it would be over. But you never know!"

Emmerdale airs the moment that fans have been waiting for next week as Charity Sharma finally discovers her husband Jai's scandalous secret.

Charity has been suspicious over Jai's strange behaviour for quite some time, but when she realises that Rachel Breckle and baby Archie are at the centre of the mystery, the penny finally drops in must-see episodes of the ITV soap.

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - teases the explosive moment that her character realises who Archie's father is.

What first gives Charity the impression that something is going on between Jai and Rachel?
"Charity's suspicions have been growing now for months, because she's seen Jai's behaviour and he's been acting extremely strangely. She's asked him whether he's had an affair or whether he needs to confess anything, but all he's ever done is profess his undying love the entire time.

"However, Charity isn't totally convinced that something isn't lurking in the background - some secret or something that he's just not telling her.

"Charity then just starts to sense things. It's a woman's intuition and she picks up on slight atmospheres in certain situations where Rachel happens to be present. Jai takes care of Rachel, and Charity's ears prick up every time that kind of situation arises."

What does Charity decide to do about it?
"Charity turns into a little detective and starts to clock it all and monitor it while she stays quiet and just thinks about it. She's aware that something is not right, and she needs to get to the bottom of it very quietly and discreetly."

Is Charity angry at this point?
"She's just bewildered! I think she's in a bit of shock. Every time these moments arise between Jai and Rachel, Charity is just very suspicious and intrigued.

"Charity still doesn't know the truth for sure, so she can't make any judgement on it until she discovers why Jai is suddenly taking an interest in Rachel. It seems that Jai is helping Rachel out with the cottage that she's renting, and Charity needs to find out why that is."

Charity tests Jai by urging him to sack Rachel. How does Jai react?
"Jai point blank refuses to go along with this and tells Charity to mind her own business. That puts Charity's nose out of joint. Jai is just in denial over the possibility that Charity could be getting closer to the truth. He's playing the game so well that he's verging on being a pathological liar!

"When Jai refuses to sack Rachel, Charity is just gobsmacked that Jai has spoken back to her. However, they are effectively getting rent from this mystery father of Rachel's baby, so Jai asks why he'd want to jeopardise a good working relationship with Rachel. It wouldn't be a good thing to do, so Jai stands his ground."

Then there's a moment where Charity thinks her worst fears have been confirmed. What can you tell us about that?
"Charity sees Jai's car outside Rachel's cottage and then hears what seems to be an argument of some kind between the two of them. She spies through the window and she's very bewildered. She doesn't know why those two would need a private conversation between them at Rachel's home.

"Then Charity sees Rachel suddenly thrusting baby Archie in Jai's arms. Immediately, the penny drops for Charity. It's an overwhelming shock and it takes her breath away. It's an open wound and it really is awful. It's the most horrendous way to find out and Charity doesn't know how to react. She goes into a panic, and I still don't know if she's fully believing it even then."

The viewers have waited a long time for this moment!
"I know! It's been great to play all this time, because I'm very aware that the audience know that Jai has sustained this lie for so long. People ask realistically how long someone can hold in that type of secret, because you'd think that eventually certain characters would start working it out. But Jai and Rachel have managed to keep this secret and it's got so monumentally enormous now. I think it'll be great for the audience to now see Charity's reaction and World War Three when it all kicks off!"


Charity then gets on Jai's laptop to play detective, doesn't she?
"Yes, and this is in Charity's true nature, really. She's a very good detective and brilliant at pretending that everything's fine. But underneath her attitude is, 'Let me get to work on this and I'll find the proof I need'. She hacks Jai's laptop and finds that the 'sent' box and 'trash' on his emails are empty. Jai has also deleted his internet browsing history, so there's no evidence of any emails going back and forth between him and Rachel.

"Charity almost feels very angry because there's no proof. She's left to wonder whether Jai has deleted the proof, or whether it's all in her imagination and there really was no proof to begin with. She has nothing to pin on them yet."

What happens next?
"Strangely enough, Charity confides in Declan, who really is enemy number one for Jai at the moment. Charity just wants to speak to someone who knows Jai very well, so she asks Declan whether he knows something or if he thinks Jai is capable.

"Declan is initially as bewildered as Charity when she explains the situation to him, but then he realises that Jai has also secretly been the father of Mia for years without anyone knowing, so he's capable of holding that sort of information for as long as he needs to. I think that confirms it in Charity's mind. He's done it before and he's capable of doing it again."

Then Charity's fears are totally confirmed with a final piece of proof…
"Yes, again Charity has this overwhelming feeling to confront both Jai and Rachel. As she's driving to the factory, Rachel is walking away. In Charity's mind it's, 'Who do I kill first?!' She chooses to go and see her husband first, because she wants to hear it from his mouth rather than anyone else's. Ideally she wants him to say that it's not true.

"Charity flies into the factory and is confronted with Jai holding Archie in his arms. She's absolutely frozen to the spot and can't move."

Was this exciting to film?
"It was brilliant! I've loved it all. It's been challenging as an actress because I've been pushed to play a range of emotions, and that's always exciting.

"Charity has never taken kindly to Rachel and finds her very irritating, so I've loved the scenes with Gemma Oaten too - with just how brazen Charity is in some of her putdowns to Rachel. Now it's clear that Rachel has been holding this secret and had the upper hand, so Charity will not like that…"

Can we expect to see Charity plan some revenge?
"With Charity, she could plan her vengeance very carefully and take a back seat. She'd think she has the time to do that now. But in many ways, Charity has slept with Declan so she's been just as bad, although they didn't have a child and hide it from the village for ages! That's the ultimate betrayal - it's gone much further than a one-night stand.

"Charity can't believe that Jai has led a double life, shamed her in this way and made a mockery of their entire marriage and their countless conversations about truth. They've always vowed to be so honest because that would get them through anything, even if they'd been a bit naughty. It's more the secrecy that's been a betrayal than the infidelity itself."

Have viewers constantly been asking you when Charity will find out?
"Yes, people are always asking when Charity will find out and I always say, 'Not for ages!' So I think people will be so shocked that it's happening now. I think it's a fabulous revelation episode. I myself was waiting for this moment so I think it's the right time for it to be unveiled.

Emmerdale airs the moment that fans have been waiting for next week as Charity Sharma finally discovers her husband Jai's scandalous secret.

Charity has been suspicious over Jai's strange behaviour for quite some time, but when she realises that Rachel Breckle and baby Archie are at the centre of the mystery, the penny finally drops in must-see episodes of the ITV soap.

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - teases the explosive moment that her character realises who Archie's father is.

What first gives Charity the impression that something is going on between Jai and Rachel?
"Charity's suspicions have been growing now for months, because she's seen Jai's behaviour and he's been acting extremely strangely. She's asked him whether he's had an affair or whether he needs to confess anything, but all he's ever done is profess his undying love the entire time.

"However, Charity isn't totally convinced that something isn't lurking in the background - some secret or something that he's just not telling her.

"Charity then just starts to sense things. It's a woman's intuition and she picks up on slight atmospheres in certain situations where Rachel happens to be present. Jai takes care of Rachel, and Charity's ears prick up every time that kind of situation arises."

What does Charity decide to do about it?
"Charity turns into a little detective and starts to clock it all and monitor it while she stays quiet and just thinks about it. She's aware that something is not right, and she needs to get to the bottom of it very quietly and discreetly."

Is Charity angry at this point?
"She's just bewildered! I think she's in a bit of shock. Every time these moments arise between Jai and Rachel, Charity is just very suspicious and intrigued.

"Charity still doesn't know the truth for sure, so she can't make any judgement on it until she discovers why Jai is suddenly taking an interest in Rachel. It seems that Jai is helping Rachel out with the cottage that she's renting, and Charity needs to find out why that is."

Charity tests Jai by urging him to sack Rachel. How does Jai react?
"Jai point blank refuses to go along with this and tells Charity to mind her own business. That puts Charity's nose out of joint. Jai is just in denial over the possibility that Charity could be getting closer to the truth. He's playing the game so well that he's verging on being a pathological liar!

"When Jai refuses to sack Rachel, Charity is just gobsmacked that Jai has spoken back to her. However, they are effectively getting rent from this mystery father of Rachel's baby, so Jai asks why he'd want to jeopardise a good working relationship with Rachel. It wouldn't be a good thing to do, so Jai stands his ground."

Then there's a moment where Charity thinks her worst fears have been confirmed. What can you tell us about that?
"Charity sees Jai's car outside Rachel's cottage and then hears what seems to be an argument of some kind between the two of them. She spies through the window and she's very bewildered. She doesn't know why those two would need a private conversation between them at Rachel's home.

"Then Charity sees Rachel suddenly thrusting baby Archie in Jai's arms. Immediately, the penny drops for Charity. It's an overwhelming shock and it takes her breath away. It's an open wound and it really is awful. It's the most horrendous way to find out and Charity doesn't know how to react. She goes into a panic, and I still don't know if she's fully believing it even then."

The viewers have waited a long time for this moment!
"I know! It's been great to play all this time, because I'm very aware that the audience know that Jai has sustained this lie for so long. People ask realistically how long someone can hold in that type of secret, because you'd think that eventually certain characters would start working it out. But Jai and Rachel have managed to keep this secret and it's got so monumentally enormous now. I think it'll be great for the audience to now see Charity's reaction and World War Three when it all kicks off!"


Charity then gets on Jai's laptop to play detective, doesn't she?
"Yes, and this is in Charity's true nature, really. She's a very good detective and brilliant at pretending that everything's fine. But underneath her attitude is, 'Let me get to work on this and I'll find the proof I need'. She hacks Jai's laptop and finds that the 'sent' box and 'trash' on his emails are empty. Jai has also deleted his internet browsing history, so there's no evidence of any emails going back and forth between him and Rachel.

"Charity almost feels very angry because there's no proof. She's left to wonder whether Jai has deleted the proof, or whether it's all in her imagination and there really was no proof to begin with. She has nothing to pin on them yet."

What happens next?
"Strangely enough, Charity confides in Declan, who really is enemy number one for Jai at the moment. Charity just wants to speak to someone who knows Jai very well, so she asks Declan whether he knows something or if he thinks Jai is capable.

"Declan is initially as bewildered as Charity when she explains the situation to him, but then he realises that Jai has also secretly been the father of Mia for years without anyone knowing, so he's capable of holding that sort of information for as long as he needs to. I think that confirms it in Charity's mind. He's done it before and he's capable of doing it again."

Then Charity's fears are totally confirmed with a final piece of proof…
"Yes, again Charity has this overwhelming feeling to confront both Jai and Rachel. As she's driving to the factory, Rachel is walking away. In Charity's mind it's, 'Who do I kill first?!' She chooses to go and see her husband first, because she wants to hear it from his mouth rather than anyone else's. Ideally she wants him to say that it's not true.

"Charity flies into the factory and is confronted with Jai holding Archie in his arms. She's absolutely frozen to the spot and can't move."

Was this exciting to film?
"It was brilliant! I've loved it all. It's been challenging as an actress because I've been pushed to play a range of emotions, and that's always exciting.

"Charity has never taken kindly to Rachel and finds her very irritating, so I've loved the scenes with Gemma Oaten too - with just how brazen Charity is in some of her putdowns to Rachel. Now it's clear that Rachel has been holding this secret and had the upper hand, so Charity will not like that…"

Can we expect to see Charity plan some revenge?
"With Charity, she could plan her vengeance very carefully and take a back seat. She'd think she has the time to do that now. But in many ways, Charity has slept with Declan so she's been just as bad, although they didn't have a child and hide it from the village for ages! That's the ultimate betrayal - it's gone much further than a one-night stand.

"Charity can't believe that Jai has led a double life, shamed her in this way and made a mockery of their entire marriage and their countless conversations about truth. They've always vowed to be so honest because that would get them through anything, even if they'd been a bit naughty. It's more the secrecy that's been a betrayal than the infidelity itself."

Have viewers constantly been asking you when Charity will find out?
"Yes, people are always asking when Charity will find out and I always say, 'Not for ages!' So I think people will be so shocked that it's happening now. I think it's a fabulous revelation episode. I myself was waiting for this moment so I think it's the right time for it to be unveiled.

Emmerdale's Charity Sharma and Cain Dingle return to their old tricks next week as they team up for a profitable scam.

Charity agrees to help Cain (Jeff Hordley) when he needs to drum up some money to help his new partner Moira Barton, who is cash-strapped and fears losing Butler's Farm.

Unfortunately for Charity, things aren't simple as her husband Jai (Chris Bisson) turns up to the same hotel where she is targeting her intended victim. Will he catch her up to no good?

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - reveals what's in store as her character desperately tries to keep the scam on track.

Why does Charity agree to do a scam with Cain?
"I think she wants to rekindle a bit of old school troublemaking with Cain. She's a bit bored in her relationship at the moment with Jai - it's kind of a little bit stale. Nothing really is going on and Cain offers her the opportunity to go and do their old wheeler-dealer sort of thing. At first she pretends to Cain that she's not interested and says, 'Oh well, if this is to help Moira out, then why should I help you? Get Moira to do her own dirty work'.

"Then she realises that Cain knows Charity is more than capable of pulling off a good job where that sort of thing is concerned, whereas Moira's a decent standing citizen so she's not really capable of doing that. Charity in a way is excited about that and the fact that he's turned to her for help, so she's very flattered."

What kind of scam do they plan?
"A couple of years ago they did a very similar scam. It's terrible really, it's stealing cars under people's noses. It's luring them into a false sense of security that they're in for a good night with Charity, and then she'll just take the car keys, run and throw them in Cain's direction. Then they'll walk off with a £160,000 Aston Martin - thank you very much, money for Moira's farm."

Can you tell us how the scam goes?
"Well, she has an unexpected visitor at the hotel and that turns out to be her own husband Jai, which is just such a spanner in the works - it couldn't be any worse. So Charity really has to do some maths and work out how she's going to get out of this and still try and get the car. At first she wants to cut and run - she tells Cain it's too dangerous because she doesn't want to risk ruining her marriage.

"If Jai got wind of what they were up to, I think he'd just walk out. Even though he's got his own secrets up his sleeve, he wouldn't believe that she wasn't going to sleep with the guy that Charity and Cain are targeting.

"From the way it looks, it does appear that she's going to be very provocative and go up to his room and do the deed. She's not at all, as she's in love with Jai and she's helping Cain out. She suggests that they cut and run and don't do it, but Cain doesn't allow that. He says, 'Absolutely no way, you are going through with this so you better finish the job you started'.

"So in a way, the excitement is still there because Charity knows she's got to do this and that she can do it, even though there's an enormous worry that she's going to run into Jai because he's in the bar. He's literally in the bar where she's flirting with this guy, in disguise and he starts talking to the guy who she's supposed to be wooing for the evening. It couldn't be more awkward."

What is her disguise?
"It's a brilliant type of Uma Thurman wig. It's a very severe, a sort of dark red, big fringe and then this very dramatic bright blue dress with these heels. She's got to look like a certain type of person in order to pull it off and get the guy's attention basically."

So does Charity stay in the corner in the shadows watching Jai talk to this guy?
"Well, she's basically talking to this guy in the bar sat at a table and she's on the phone to Jai. Jai walks into the restaurant having a conversation on the phone, so she's so caught in the headlights and she doesn't know what to do. She kills the call dead, runs out and just says to this guy, 'Look I'm going to have to go and make a phone call to my husband'.

"The guy walks over to the bar to order more champagne for him and Charity and starts talking to Jai. Charity's just watching and waiting. It's quite funny actually - it's got elements of comedy, which I was really pleased about. It's a little bit reminiscent of the Carry On movies where one's running in one room and the next person's running out, and I think the audience are going to be on the edge of their seats.

"The director has said this going to be an episode where it's all about timing and he's going to make it so you think they might bump into one another, so it's really good and I can't wait to see it."

Will this reignite the scams between Charity and Cain?
"I don't think you need to reignite it, because I think it's just always there and it's just how much they're going to play on it. There are times they do and you just think, 'Oh they're so good together', and then one of them says the wrong thing and then you realise, 'Oh that's why you're not together actually'.

"They have become really good friends in a way, and they have the banter where you would think they don't really respect each other when they talk to each other. But actually there is an understanding between them now, because Charity and Moira can sit there and have a drink together and it's really civilised. I don't think I would go as far to say that Moira likes Charity, but they tolerate each other and get on quite well."

Could it reignite the spark of passion between Cain and Charity?
"Maybe. I think it's something that's always there, but it's how far will they go because they've pushed it before and it's been spoilt. Their friendship and understanding has been spoilt because one of them has done something to annoy the other and it's almost that thing - can't live with each other, can't live without each other. So for the time being they're best off apart."

How does Charity really feel about Cain's new relationship?
"I think she is a little bit jealous because it's actually going really well. Every time somebody like Chas or Debbie remarks that it's going really well, Charity has to do a put-down or say 'It won't last for long, only until the next domestic'. I think she shows signs of jealousy because it's like, 'How dare Cain manage a successful relationship, how dare he do that?!'"

At the same time, Charity and Jai's relationship isn't moving forward at the moment…
"No it's not, and I think Jai is caught in his own horrible secret and so it can't go anywhere because Jai's locked in this terrible world of deceit. I can't wait for when Charity finds out. I keep thinking it's going to be soon and then it's not. I think that's fine as long as the audience don't forget, and I don't think they will because I think they're going to be soon reminded that there's this awful dark secret. It's quite good to interweave stories like that."

We're all waiting for the big reveal…
"Well, I think first the audience needs to see Jai being a father not just to Noah as a stepdad, but also as a real father to this baby in order for the deceit to just grow and grow. So in the end it's like he's actually nearly brought up a child under Charity's nose, and she didn't even know.

"Charity actually tends to work out a lot of stuff for herself, but on this occasion she's none the wiser and I think that will be a huge blow, just that she's not been able to work that out and yet he's been acting weird for months."

Does anyone stop you on the street to ask about the secret?
"Yeah, all they say is 'When are you going to find out? When are you going to find out? Do you ever find out?' and I've got to go 'Well, I think so' because I genuinely don't know but it's got to happen or else it would be a waste."

Already posted with pictures http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/s...688#post796688

Emmerdale kicks off a big new storyline for Charity Sharma next week as her husband Jai's baby secret finally comes out.

When Charity discovers that Jai (Chris Bisson) is the father of Rachel Breckle's young son Archie, a huge showdown follows and she immediately decides that she wants revenge…

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - previews the long-awaited moment for her formidable character.

Does Charity have any inkling at the moment that Jai could still be lying to her?
"Charity doesn't at the moment but she starts to put a few things together, which she finds quite alarming. Jai's paying a lot more attention to Archie than Charity thinks he should and she questions that.

"Any time anything seems to happen to Archie, Jai's concern is sort of equivalent to Rishi's concern, being a father. Charity is just slightly curious as to why Jai is so paternal in that way. He shows paternal instincts and I think Charity is starting to find it a little bit grating, just because she doesn't like Rachel anyway."

Are there any suspicious moments in particular?
"Charity found Jai's reaction to Archie's fireworks injury a little bit suspicious. Then Samson develops a bug and Jai and Rishi decide that it's better off for Archie to stay at Holdgate. Again Charity wonders why this is happening and is more concerned that Noah could pick up this bug if Archie has contracted it. So all the goings on feel a little bit suspect.

"Charity is not stupid. It's almost like a subconscious knowing and it's sort of brought up to the surface. The more things happen, the more that increases."

Sam's reaction also tells Charity a lot, doesn't it?
"Yes, Sam starts to act extremely bizarre around Charity, which Charity immediately clocks. Because Jai and Rishi have a go at Sam for the fireworks, I think Charity feels sorry for him because she thinks they're picking on him. It wasn't Sam's fault, but they think it is. So she says, 'Oh no, poor Sam, are they having a go at you? I'll have a word with them'. Sam is adamant that he can handle it, but Charity is thinking, 'Handle what?'

"Charity also walks into the factory office and it appears that Rishi and Jai are having a go at Sam, and it's just after the fireworks incident. Charity walks in and says, 'What's going on here? Were you having a go at Sam then?' and they won't speak - they won't say a word, Rishi and Jai. They're buttoned. So Charity goes in search of Sam and says, 'What's going on?'"

Of course, Sam knows the whole truth now…
"Yes, it's great for the viewers because its one of those, 'Don't spill the beans!' situations. Of course the audience are probably thinking, 'Go on, spill the beans!' Sam being Sam, he's a very nervous character. So he does in fact blurt out that there is something he's holding from Charity and he has some information. Charity will not stop then - its like an unravelling thread.

"Lisa walks down the stairs just at the point where Charity is almost threatening Sam, saying, 'If you don't tell me, whatever Jai said he will do to you, I will do a lot worse. So believe me, if you don't start to speak now...'

"Lisa comes down and interrupts them, so Charity decides to get Sam the next day at work. But then Sam quits his job and panics. Charity knows there is something wrong and she vows to herself that she's going to find out. So it's a slippery slope for Jai."

What can you tell us about Rishi's heart attack, which happens when Charity is questioning him?
"Again, Charity has a great tendency to put pressure on people. She enjoys that and she knows that she's quite manipulative. Rishi is quite sweet towards Charity, as he's always been lovely to her. I think she appeals to his better nature and says, 'Look, I need to know'.

"But Charity is quite stern with it as well and obviously Rishi is getting more and more stressed, because he's withholding this awful information and he can't cope with the stress of keeping that secret. Unfortunately I think there are a lot of things going on in Rishi's life, with Jai and all sorts, so he just sort of crumbles and he has a bit of a heart attack."
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Rishi collapses in front of Charity.
© ITV
Rishi collapses in front of Charity.


Does Rishi say anything to Charity which gives the game away?
"Before Rishi passes out, he just says a couple of things to Charity that are so bizarre. He says, 'Please don't be angry with Jai, he loves you both'. Charity wonders why she would be angry and who the 'both' is that Rishi is referring to. So then they go and visit Rishi in hospital. Everyone thinks he's possibly not going to make it, so it's touch and go."

What happens next?
"It's just a case of Charity having Rishi where she wants him now. She needs to talk to him and she needs to talk to him alone. She doesn't really get the opportunity to, so I think at this point, the revelation is out in Charity's head anyway. She just feels subconsciously that she's known for maybe a while, but that is the absolute pinnacle for Charity.

"Charity gives Rishi that knowing glance in the hospital bed as if to say, 'I know and thank you for almost revealing that'. Rishi goes into absolute panic because he's helpless now and that's it."

Are there any other big realisation moments for Charity?
"As well as the heart attack, there's a moment when Jai picks up the baby and pulls him close. I think Charity just sees a moment that isn't an uncle moment, it's what you would do if you were father and son. So those few defining moments put the jigsaw right."

How do you feel about reaching this big moment in the storyline?
"I'm excited for the audience actually. It's weird because I haven't thought about that too much, because obviously my character's had to go off and do loads of other stuff with Debbie. Of course this secret's been building and building and building, so I can imagine hopefully from an audience perspective its going to be a really great revelation."
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Charity demands the truth.
© ITV
Charity demands the truth.


What can you tell us about the confrontation itself?
"Charity gets them all into the office. She knows now what she's got to do - she's got to confront them all, but she wants the most impossibly awkward moment you can ever dream of. That means getting Jai and Rachel in the same room, and unfortunately Sam bears the brunt, because again he doesn't quite know what to say for the best.

"Sam puts his foot in it because Rishi obviously throws in a red herring a few episodes back. Rishi had pretended that the reason why they were angry with Sam was because he had asked if it was possible, that when Archie starts talking, he could maybe call Sam 'dad'. Rishi says, 'Absolutely no way can my son call you dad'. So that's the red herring thrown in.

"Charity then knows what Sam's like and puts him under pressure in the office, saying, 'Why do you want Archie to start calling you dad?' Sam is just completely confused about what she's talking about, so Charity knows then. That's the final moment that she knows, because they're lying and they've thrown a blanket over it."

What kind of mood is Charity in when she's confronting them in the room?
"It's quite edgy. I think Charity is losing control because she's so angry, but she keeps it in. She reins it in each time she's going to burst, and obviously she does burst. But to begin with, her focus is wanting to drip the information out in front of everyone.

"It's also a panicky situation, because it's unravelling at a rate of knots and nobody knows what to do. I think it's a very shocking moment, because in many ways Rachel has an innocence about her. Rachel did get very, very drunk and sleep with Jai, but as wrong as it is, she's never gloated about it. She's always been panicky about the idea of it coming out, so it's been really difficult.

"As for Charity and Jai, the fact that it's a dirty secret that's gone on for this long is a mockery. Charity has been made a mockery of. She's now so demented with that mockery that there's no time for feeling sorry for anyone, it's just wild. She's just thinking, 'How big and how brilliant can my revenge be? The bigger the better!'"
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Charity slaps Rachel.
© ITV
Charity slaps Rachel.


How worried should Jai and Rachel be?
"Well, Charity has got Cain and Debbie on her back saying, 'Just let this go, just build your life back up, sort yourself out and start again. You always do and you're always fine. You're a survivor'. But she can't do it without the revenge. Charity can't do it without the vengeance, because why should she? Why should she let them get away with what they've done?

"That's her mentality and that sort of thing can eat you alive. I think Charity has just always got that in her - the ability to seek revenge and do her best by it. It's awful, really - to live your life like that, and I live my life very differently in that aspect because I think there's a sense of maturity about just letting go and moving on."

Are you excited about where things are heading in the aftermath?
"It's wonderful and the writers have been fantastic. Every time I pick a script up, I'm feeling so excited about what's to come. There are moments in the aftermath where Charity gets so drunk and she's going to be trying it on with Cain. It's not because she wants to get back with him - she's just lashing out and she's letting it all unwind…"

Sorry but I have zero sympathy for Charity. She wasn't really that bothered when Katie announced to everyone she knew about her and Declan sleeping together, and started slagging her off about her past when she was young. They were meant to be friends and there was no remorse on her part, just her worrying about what others might think. Yes, Jai should have been honest, but Charity is hardly an angel herself. I'm wondering what her payback would be? Sleeping with someone else, like Katie did?

Wishes Charity would just grow up!

Sorry but I have zero sympathy for Charity. She wasn't really that bothered when Katie announced to everyone she knew about her and Declan sleeping together, and started slagging her off about her past when she was young. They were meant to be friends and there was no remorse on her part, just her worrying about what others might think. Yes, Jai should have been honest, but Charity is hardly an angel herself. I'm wondering what her payback would be? Sleeping with someone else, like Katie did?

Wishes Charity would just grow up!

she breaks up from jai again and sleeps with ross

Emmerdale schemer Charity Sharma will be taking centre stage in this year's Christmas episodes as she gets caught up in the Home Farm fire drama.

Charity can do nothing but watch on in horror as she catches Declan Macey setting fire to his mansion on Christmas night, risking his own life and the safety of his sister Megan.

In the aftermath of the blaze, cunning Charity starts to come up with a way to protect Declan by framing Sam Dingle for arson. It's an idea that's sure to leave Charity's enemy Rachel Breckle devastated…

Here, Emma Atkins - who plays Charity - previews the drama ahead for her character over the festive period.

How is Charity feeling following her split from Jai?
"Charity is pretty devastated about it all. She's trying to put on a brave face, but she's extremely hurt and I think there is a point where she decides, 'Enough is enough, I cannot sit here and weep over this because it's never going to go away - now I can seek revenge somehow'.

"Charity goes into this turmoil of seeking revenge and this vengeance plan starts to bubble in her mind. Obviously Debbie picks up on it and wonders what she has planned. Debbie says, 'Just leave it and move on with your life', but as stereotypical as it sounds, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. There's a lot to come with the scope of where Charity can go with vengeance."

Is Charity worried about how the break-up will affect Noah, especially with it being Christmas?
"No, I think in some ways there's an inherent selfishness about Charity. As much as she loves Noah, she doesn't have that selflessness. Charity is just so angry and she's determined to keep Noah away from Jai, which actually is such a cruel way to be because you should never, ever involve children. But Charity has never really known how to be a decent mother - she's just got through and got by through her own ideas of motherhood.

"It's not to anybody's liking - certainly not Jai's and he's quite alarmed at how Charity is determined to detach them from having any kind of father-son relationship, even though it's such a healthy one as well. She's just so angry - she's filled with anger."

Does Charity see Christmas as a good chance to get her own back?
"Well it's a weird thread that is woven. At first Charity feels that this Christmas is the worst ever, but then a weird twist of fate happens - the Home Farm fire. Again, cogs are whirring and Charity starts to think, 'Could I turn this to my advantage?' She has an imagination and she uses it much to her advantage when it's needed. The circumstance of this fire is what Charity uses to gain power again."

Would you say Charity is at her best when she's plotting and scheming?
"Yes and I think she sees Declan as a potential ally who she can really join forces with. Who is going to annoy Jai more than him?! Declan is the biggest enemy of Jai as his old best friend and there's nothing worse than your ex-best friend and your ex-lover hooking up. Unfortunately Charity is flawed in that way - she seeks the things that most people would advise her not to do."

Is there any way that Jai could convince Charity to forgive him?
"No, there is a sense of unforgiving now with Charity. She's gone beyond that - she tried to make it work but after the embarrassment and the hurt, now she's hell-bent on getting him back."

Can you tell us what happens at Christmas?
"Jai has taken Noah for Christmas Day, but later Jai turns up in the pub and Charity demands to know where her son is. Noah is curled up watching a DVD - she knows deep down that he's absolutely fine and he's safe, but she's being provocative. She's even more provocative when Jai says, 'Well it's a good job I've not brought him in the pub, seeing you lording it up with Declan'.

"Charity responds by saying, 'Right, I'll get you back for every little snide comment you've ever made'. She turns to Declan and says, 'I've changed my mind, you're not getting me a drink, we're going back to yours'. Again, it's that provocation of, 'I will make Jai regret everything he's done'."

Once they're at Home Farm, Charity leaves suddenly. Why is that?
"There's no real urge for Charity to sleep with Declan - it's actually more that she's quite lonely on Christmas Day and she knows that the idea of sleeping with Declan will make Jai go crazy, so she gives the illusion that it's what's going to happen. Once they're at Home Farm, Charity realises how lost Declan is - he's drunk, he's maudlin, he's quite on the edge of a breakdown. I think Charity realises this and then obviously Declan has a real go at Charity for using him.

"Declan says, 'You've only done it to get back at Jai, so shall we go upstairs and sleep together and get it over with?' Charity is so shocked at his behaviour, but of course Declan is just goading her - he's goading anyone because he's had enough of life after losing the business and everything going so financially wrong."

After leaving, Charity returns shortly afterwards. Why?
"I think Charity genuinely sees Declan as a lost soul and feels quite sorry for him, as he has no-one else to turn to. Declan is sat in Home Farm with his coat on alone in a very cold house because they've turned the gas off. It's just quite a horrendous situation, so I think Charity pities him and feels sorry for him and goes back to talk him out of his depression, really.

"When Charity arrives back, she sees Declan holding a can of paraffin and he's about to torch the house - and himself. I think Declan has just had enough and he feels that he could end his days quite happily just there and then. He's lost his daughter, he's lost his business, he's lost his wife Katie and he feels that Home Farm has a very negative energy. Declan starts to bring up the past and how many people have died there, and that proves too much for him."
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Charity is shocked as the flames take hold
© ITV
Charity is shocked as the flames take hold

A special set was built to burn Home Farm, wasn't it?
"Yes, they've done a replica of Home Farm - the exterior of it. They've done it on location at the village and you would not believe it's a different building, as it looks incredible. Obviously there's certain angles they can't film from - you can tell if you walk round the side that it's not the real Home Farm! But it's so incredible.

"Credit to all the people who were involved in the making of that, as it's done by such talented people, It seems unfortunate then to go and burn it in that way! They built it to burn it!

"While filming these scenes, we had to literally stand there for hours in torrential rain. I've never worked in conditions so hard actually - it was one of the most challenging days that I've had on the show and I love it for that reason. It's going to get even more challenging for me now because I'm getting involved with this fabulous storyline where Declan and Charity join forces."

Is Charity worried that she's going to die in the fire?
"She goes to try and help put the fire out and makes it worse, so I think panic then starts to set in. Because Declan is so reluctant to go and leave, she realises that he's possibly going to commit suicide and she's certainly not wanting to join him, so she tries to talk him out of it. He leads her to believe that they're going to leave the house together, but just as they get to the door, he bolts her out of the house. She's out, he's stuck in and she's got no way of getting back in.

"Charity decides that she's going to help Declan, so she takes her coat off and runs to the field. It's all very wet so she wets the coat in order to break the window and somehow run in. It doesn't get that far, though, because Declan hurls himself out of the house. I think he realises, 'I can't go through with this'."
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Fire spreads through Home Farm.
© ITV
Fire spreads through Home Farm.
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Fire crews try to put out the Home Farm fire.
© ITV
Fire crews try to put out the Home Farm fire.

Once Charity and Declan have got themselves to safety, they find out that Megan has gone into the house and is trapped inside. How do they react?
"They're sat in this lay-by away from the fire and they're discussing how Charity could possibly help Declan get away with it. Then they rush back to the fire, pretending that they don't know anything about it.

"As it unwinds and unravels further in the storyline, we realise that there's a female trapped inside the house. Declan is beyond help now - he's so beside himself with guilt because obviously, there is someone in there and he caused the fire to begin with. Charity is trying to pull him out of his grief and guilt by saying, 'She'll be alive, she'll be fine, don't worry, we'll find a way out of this'."

Is the Declan and Charity dynamic just a partnership, or could there be something in the future between them?
"Well at the moment it's platonic - it's just for insurance and one another's financial gain. Well, not for Declan, he's more still this lost soul - but they do have a lot of respect for each other!"


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz2niSWgLgc