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‘Emmerdale' Cleared By Ofcom Over Sexual Assault Scenes

Ofcom Give Ruling On 'Emmerdale' Sexual Assault Storyline
Rachel McGrath
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Ofcom have given their verdict on an ‘Emmerdale’ sexual assault episode, which aired earlier this year.

The broadcasting regulator launched an investigation when 89 complaints were lodged, over an episode in which Alicia Metcalfe was assaulted by 14-year-old Lachlan White.

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Alicia was the victim of the shock attack

The investigation is now complete and Ofcom have ruled that the episode did not breach any regulations.

Speaking shortly after the episode aired, Natalia Anderson - who plays Alicia - defended the soap’s decision to tackle the difficult storyline.

“We knew that there would be [complaints] it’s a very contentious, sensitive storyline, so ‘Emmerdale’ and our producer were quite prepared for the fact that this would be shocking,” she said back in March. “Obviously everything was implied and nothing was explicit… and there was so much research that went into it.

“But to be honest, in the grand scheme of things, there’s been more praise for the storyline than complaints for the storyline which has been brilliant for us because essentially we want to open up debate about why a fourteen year old boy would do this.”

In the months since the attack, viewers have seen Alicia and her family struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

See all the latest ‘Emmerdale’ news and spoilers here.

'Emmerdale': Where Are They Now?
Patsy Kensit(01 of20)
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Played: Sadie King (2004-2006)Patsy's popped up in a number of places since her stint on the show, including 2015's 'Celebrity Big Brother'. She also starred in 'Holby City' from 2007 to 2010. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
James Sutton(02 of20)
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Played: Ryan Lamb (2009–2011)After leaving the Dales, James returned to 'Hollyoaks', where he stars as John-Paul McQueen. (credit:Lindsey Parnaby via Getty Images)
Kate McGregor(03 of20)
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Played: Emily Kirk (1999-2005, 2006-2008)After quitting the soap, Kate has returned to the Dales on a couple of occasions however she's never made a full comeback. However, since 'Emmerdale', Kate hasn't appeared on TV screens again. (credit:Tim Whitby/PA Archive)
Tom Lister(04 of20)
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Played: Carl King (2004–2012)Tom seems to have put acting on the back-burner recently, and judging from his Twitter, he spends a lot of time working with the charity Hope For Justice. He's also in a band, named Edna's Hat. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Claire King(05 of20)
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Played: Kim Tate (1989-1999)After ten years on the soap, resident bad girl Kim left and (appropriately) joined the cast of prison drama 'Bad Girls'. Most recently, Claire appeared in 'Hollyoaks' as Andrea Mason from 2005 to 2012. (credit:Ben Stansall via Getty Images)
Peter Amory(06 of20)
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Played: Chris Tate (1989-2003)Peter has swapped the small screen for the stage, appearing in a number of small productions. (credit:Fiona Hanson/PA Archive)
Lisa Riley(07 of20)
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Played: Mandy Dingle (1995-2001)Since Lisa left the Dales, she's starred in 'Waterloo Road' and 'Scott And Bailey', as well as getting her dancing shoes on for 'Strictly'. Let's be honest though - the thing we remember most is the fact she provided the voice over for 'You've Been Framed'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Sammy Winward(08 of20)
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Played: Katie Sugden (2001–15)Sammy left the soap in early 2015 - who knows what she'll get up to next? (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Verity Rushworth(09 of20)
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Played: Donna Windsor (1993–2009, 2014)After five years off, Verity reprised her role for a few months in 2014, ahead of the character's death. During her time away from the soap, Verity trod the boards, playing Maria in 'The Sound Of Music', while the show was on tour. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Cleveland Campbell(10 of20)
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Played: Danny Daggert (2001–06, 2007)Cleveland appeared in 'The Bill' shortly after leaving the Dales. He's also popped up on the TV series 'Doctors' and 'Sunshine'. (credit:David Fisher/REX)
Chelsea Halfpenny (11 of20)
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Played: Any Wyatt (2010–13)Prior to her primetime big break on 'Emmerdale', Chelsea starred in the popular TV show 'Byker Grove'. Since leaving, she's appeared in a number of modelling shoots. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Suzanne Shaw(12 of20)
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Played: Eve Jenson (2010–11)In March 2015, Suzanne Shaw announced that she's pregnant with her second child. In 2014 she starred as Tara Fable in the mini-series '5 Aside'. (credit:Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)
Bobby Knutt(13 of20)
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Played: Albert Dingle (1995–98, 2004)Bobby's been a regular on the Panto circuit for years, and in 2008 he published his autobiography, which was followed by a sequel in 2010.He also lends his voice to the Tetly Tea ads. (credit:ITV/REX)
Adele Silva(14 of20)
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Played: Kelly Windsor (1993–2000, 2005–07, 2011)Troublemaker Kelly returned to cause trouble in the village a number of times. During her time away, Adele tried her hand at modelling, starring in a number of lads' mag shoots, and also starred on reality TV shows such as 'Celebrity Fear Factor' and 'The Salon'. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Stephen McGann(15 of20)
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Played: Sean Reynolds (1999-2002)Fans of 'Call The Midwife' will recognise Stephen, as he plays Dr Turner in the series. (credit:ITV/REX)
Deena Payne(16 of20)
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Played: Viv Hope (1993–2011)Deena reappeared on our TV screens in an episode of 'True Crime', but you're more likely to find her on stage now. She's appeared in a number of pantomimes, and also trod the boards as one of the Calendar Girls. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Pauline Quirke(17 of20)
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Played: Hazel Rhodes (2010-2012)Pauline resumed her role as Sharon in hit comedy 'Birds Of A Feather' when the show returned in 2014. She also scored a part in ITV's drama 'Broadchurch. (credit:Ian Gavan via Getty Images)
Lorraine Chase(18 of20)
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Played: Steph Stokes (2002–06, 2013)Lorraine's acting credits include 'My Family' and 'Doctors. In her time away from the fictional farming village, she also gave camping in the 'I'm A Celeb' jungle a go, before popping up on 'Celebrity Come Dine With Me'. (credit:Steve Parsons/PA Archive)
Ben Freeman(19 of20)
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Played: Scott Windsor (1993–96, 1998–2007)After 'Emmerdale', Ben - successfully - tried his hand at stage acting, and he's trod the boards after landing roles in 'Romeo And Juliet' and 'Legally Blonde', among others. (credit:ITV/REX)
Jenna Louise Coleman (20 of20)
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Played: Jasmine Thomas (2005–09)Jenna is one of the soap's most successful exports, and she currently stars in 'Doctor Who' opposite Peter Capaldi. (credit:Jonathan Short/Invision/AP)

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