'Emmerdale' Viewers File Complaints Over Alicia Metcalfe Sexual Assault Episode, While Natalie Anderson Defends Controversial Storyline

Ofcom Receive Complaints After 'Emmerdale' Sexual Assault Storyline
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Emmerdale
ITV

A number of 'Emmerdale' viewers have complained to Ofcom over a recent storyline that saw Alicia Metfcalfe sexually assaulted by 14-year-old Lachlan White.

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On Thursday night, fans of the ITV soap were shocked to see the teenager taking advantage of Alicia, played by Natalie Anderson, when she'd had a few too many drinks, and had fallen asleep.

The hour-long episode was aired at an earlier time than usual of 6.45pm to allow for a football match, with some viewers feeling like it was too much for a pre-watershed moment, although they were warned about potentially upsetting scenes that "some viewers may find difficult to watch".

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Alicia faces up to what has happened to her

A spokesperson for the broadcasting regulator has confirmed they've received 47 complaints about the storyline so far, explaining: "We are assessing these before deciding whether to investigate or not."

Nothing of the sexual assault was actually shown, rather it was implied, much like a similar storyline that rocked 'EastEnders' last year, when a rape scene was alluded to but never actually seen by viewers.

Meanwhile, actress Natalie Anderson has defended the storyline, insisting that it sparks an interesting debate about consent.

"Yes she was far too drunk for her own good. And yes, Lachlan is a child with difficulties. But no matter what, she was assaulted at that was wrong."

"I am so proud of Emmerdale for highlighting this issue and felt so compelled to tell this story."

Stars Who've Switched Soaps
Denise Welch(01 of28)
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Denise played Natalie Horrocks in 'Corrie' for 3 years and after brief flirtations with other shows, she returned to the world of soaps with a role in 'Waterloo Road'. (credit:WENN)
Jamie Lomas(02 of28)
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Serial switcher Jamie Lomas starred in 'Coronation Street' and 'Hollyoaks', before taking his latest role as Jake Stone in 'EastEnders'. (credit:PA)
Claire King(03 of28)
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After ten years as Dale Farm's resident bad girl Kim Tate, Claire left 'Emmerdale' and from 2005, starred as Claire in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Ben Stansall via Getty Images)
Ross Kemp(04 of28)
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Yes, we all know Ross Kemp as EastEnders' hardman Grant Mitchell, but did you know he also in an episode of 'Emmerdale' in 1986? (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Michelle Collins(05 of28)
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Michelle spent the best part of 10 years as 'EastEnders' character Cindy Beale. She later switched sides, moving to ITV's 'Coronation Street' to play barmaid Stella Price. (credit:Getty Images)
Angela Griffin (06 of28)
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Angela Griffin is well-known for playing Corrie's Fiona Middleton in the '90s, but before that she made a brief appearance in 'Emmerdale', starring in two episodes. (credit:WENN)
Daniella Westbrook(07 of28)
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Daniella Westbrook found fame as Walford's Sam Mitchell and in 2013, she signed up for a stint on 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Getty Images)
Ben Hull(08 of28)
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'Hollyoaks' actor Ben Hull has also appeared in one episode of 'Corrie' and four episodes of the now-defunct 'Brookside'. (credit:Myung Jung Kim/PA Archive)
Gillian Taylforth(09 of28)
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Gillian Taylforth spent 15 years as Kathy Beale in 'EastEnders', though 'Hollyoaks' fans will recognise her as Sandy Roscoe. (credit:Getty Images)
Chris Bisson(10 of28)
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Chris Bisson has been starring in 'Emmerdale' since 2009 but until 2002, he was known as Vikram Desai in 'Corrie'. (credit:Shirlaine Forrest via Getty Images)
Sherrie Hewson(11 of28)
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Sherrie Hewson was Corrie's Maureen Naylor until 1997, when she left to star in the 2001 revival of daytime soap 'Crossroads'. (credit:WENN)
Anthony Quinlan (12 of28)
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Anthony Quinlan was Hollyoaks' Gilly Roach for 6 years before leaving and, two years later, joining 'Emmerdale'. (credit:PA)
Sue Nicholls(13 of28)
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Sue Nicholls spent four years in 'Crossroad' before joining 'Coronation Street' in 1979. (credit:Doug Peters)
Nicola Stapleton(14 of28)
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Nicola Stapleton has appeared in 'Doctors', 'Emmerdale' and 'EastEnders' - we can only assume a role in 'Corrie' is up next... (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Johnny Briggs (15 of28)
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Johnny Briggs starred as Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin from 1976 to 2006, before leaving for pastures new.He then appeared in the short-lived ITV soap 'Echo Beach'. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Gaynor Faye(16 of28)
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Gaynor Faye, who is currently starring in 'Emmerdale' as Megan Macey, played Corrie's Judy Mallett for 4 years in the '90s. (credit:WENN)
David Neilson(17 of28)
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David Neilson is the instantly recognisable actor who plays Roy Cropper in 'Coronation Street' but soap superfans will know that he also made one brief appearance 'EastEnders'. (credit:Anna Gowthorpe/PA Archive)
Nikki Sanderson(18 of28)
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Nikki Sanderson found fame as a teen in 'Corrie', and she can currently be seen playing Maxine Minniver in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:WENN)
James Sutton(19 of28)
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James Sutton recently returned as the only McQueen brother on 'Hollyoaks', but during his time away from the Channel 4 soap he spent two years in 'Emmerdale'. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Denise Black(20 of28)
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Denise Black was best-known as Corrie's Denise Osbourne until 2007. After a stint treading the boards, she returned to Soapworld with a role in 'Emmerdale'. (credit:ITV)
Chris Fountain(21 of28)
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Chris Fountain had been starring on the small screen for just 3 years when he landed a role in 'Hollyoaks'. Years later he turned up in 'Corrie' as Tommy Duckworth. before leaving in 2013. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Zoe Lucker (22 of28)
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Zoe Lucker many be best-known for her roles in 'Footballer's Wives', 'Bad Girls' and 'EastEnders', but she also made a brief appearance in the daytime soap 'Doctors' in 2000. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Dan O'Connor (23 of28)
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Aussie star Dan O'Connor was a 'Neighbours' staple before jetting over to Blighty, where he starred as Ally Connor in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
Gemma Bissix(24 of28)
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Gemma Bissix won plenty of awards as Hollyoaks' Claire, before channel-hopping across to 'EastEnders' to play a character with the same first name. (credit:Matt Crossick/Matt Crossick)
Sheree Murphy(25 of28)
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Sheree Murphy received a lot of love in 'Emmerdale' and she's since jetted off to Australia, where she now appears in 'Neighbours'. She also played Eva Price in 'Hollyoaks'. (credit:AP/Invision)
Meg Johnson (26 of28)
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Meg Johnson is a fan favourite as Pearl in 'Emmerdale', but she's more famous for playing Eunice Gee in 'Corrie' until 1999. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Gary Lucy (27 of28)
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Gary Lucy went from from 'Hollyoaks' to 'EastEnders', via 'The Bill' and 'Footballer's Wives'. (credit:PA)
Emily Symons(28 of28)
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Aussie actress Emily Symons became famous in 'Home and Away', before swapping Ramsey Street for 'Emmerdale'. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)