EMMERDALE fans are in shock after Debbie Dingle convinced daughter Sarah to turn herself in over her drugs crime.
The mechanic – who is played by actress Charley Webb in the ITV soap – has long been accused of abandoning her daughter to move to Scotland on a whim.
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Viewers know Sarah planted drugs on newcomer Ethan’s coat and lied about it so he was arrested, putting his career as a lawyer on the line.
The Dingles had closed ranks and at first Debbie was prepared to cover up what Sarah had done.
But after Nate told her about how the police will be treating Ethan because he’s black, she appeared to have second thoughts.
Later she sat down with Sarah to do some real parenting.
“I spoke to a mate earlier about Ethan,” she told Sarah instead of admitting that she’d listened to Nate.
But before she could speak Sarah launched into her own justification for not making things right.
Sarah told her: “I didn’t mean for him to get in trouble and he’s a solicitor and the police have no evidence on him so it’s not like he’s going to get into any trouble is it, so can we just leave it?”
However Debbie surprised viewers by talking Sarah around, saying: “It’s not that simple. It’s about doing the right thing.
“Ethan’s done nothing wrong and yet he’s the one that’s suffering. People have been whispering about him.
“They see him now and they see a black guy who’s been pushing drugs. People are judging him and he’s the one who’s having to deal with the fallout – it’s not right.
“You are brave enough to deal with this. You have to talk to him, and you have to apologise and whatever happens I will be by your side no matter what happens, I promise you.”
Sarah agreed and fans were in shock about Debbie doing some responsible parenting.
One wrote: “Debbie being all sensible getting Sarah to come clean about the drugs, well done ! #emmerdale.”
A second said: “Debbie encouraging Sarah to do the right thing. #Emmerdale.”
Another added: “Debbie has to do the right thing, she can’t let Ethan take the blame for Sarah & Dannys actions, that’s not a good life’s lesson @emmerdale team Nate on this one.”
