Emmerdale sparks outrage over schedule shake-up as fans miss villager's sudden exit

Emmerdale fans were left up in arms over a sudden schedule shake-up, leaving many missing the sudden departure of a beloved villager. On Tuesday (July 1), ITV bosses treated fans to a double-bill of the Yorkshire-based soap.

The sudden change comes after TV bosses were forced to change up this week's schedule to accommodate various sporting events including football and rugby. The hour-long episode will see the aftermath of Paddy's horror attack while Mack, Ross and Lewis clash horns. Minutes into the TV special, fans bid farewell to Paddy's dad Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) after a fierce clash with his father moments after saving him from a dog attack.

Halfway through the show a wave of new viewers flooded to X - formerly known as Twitter - to share their disappointime online. One user fumed: "Noooo I've missed half an hour of #Emmerdale ... why do the tiles always have to change."

Another agreed: "Oh no I've missed the early start #Emmerdale." A third complained: "#emmerdale nooooo, did it start early?" as a fourth echoed: "The 7.30 people have missed Bear's departure #Emmerdale."

Meanwhile, one viewer advised fans who tuned in late: "ITV+! for the 7.30pm shifters. It'll start at 8 [cry-laughing emoji] #Emmerdale." But that wasn't the only jaw-dropping revelation that took pace in the hour-long special.

At the end of the show, a dangerous new alliance formed in the Dales as new villain Ray (Joe Absolom) made his debute - and it's bad luck for Ross Barton (Michael Parr). The character arrived claiming to be an acquaintance of Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb).

He claimed he was selling farm machinery and was looking to see if anyone was interested, but soon his real agenda became clear when he was shown the weed crops that were stashed in the barn.

Ross, his brother Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) - who owns the cannabis and has been harvisting it for a while - and Mack, were secretly hiding the crops there with a plan to sell it for money.

With Moira Dingle's (Natalie J. Robb) farm facing closure and the family in financial crisis, Macl blamed himself for his sister's difficult situation and needed to make cash quick.

As the episode neared an end, the crops suddenly vanished with Mack quickly becoming the main suspect, with Ross and Lewis believing he's stolen them and sold them onto Ray like he'd initially suggested.

But soon enough, the camera panned to Ray who was asking someone about their experience selling drugs as the stolen crops in the back of the van came into focus.

It was none other than Robert Sugden who then stepped forward and was confirmed to be the person who stole the drugs adn then sold them for a huge profit without tellis Lewis, Mack or Ross.

This is sure to mean bad news for Ross as his relationship with Lewis is now at risk, and involving Mack, leading to Ray and Robert being able to steal the goods.

Ross is also set to face drama when he confronts Robert about the theft, with Robert threatening to ditch his deal with Moira as a reult - but will Ross bring more trouble to Moira's door?

Emmerdale airs from Monday to Thursday from 7.30pm on ITV1 or catch up on ITVX.