General Chat

Jackson Walsh (Mark Silcock), paralysed from the neck down in a car accident last year, will be given a lethal dose of tablets by his mum Hazel (Pauline Quirke) and lover Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller).


More doom and gloom. i hoped they had made a mistake and he would start to get feelings again.

Marion

the soaps r always doom n gloom, altho depending on how its done will depend on how i feel about it,


i think its good to tackle things that do happen in real life, and assisted suiside does happen x

An Emmerdale insider told The Sun: "Jackson will start discussing plans to end his life in the next few weeks.

"His resolve to see it through will strengthen, which will lead to many rows and emotional scenes.

"Throughout the plot, there will be a phone number on screen for a helpline for anyone affected."

Of course, campaigners are concerned the issue is only being used to win viewers.

Alistair Thompson, of the Care Not Killing Alliance, said: "I hope this is done for the right reason and not to chase ratings."

Industry watchdog Mediawatch-UK slammed the storyline. Spokesman David Turtle said:

"Emmerdale has been trying to push the boundaries for some time just to boost ratings. It's a soap, not a serious discussion about a serious topic."

It's not the first time assisted suicide has appeared in a soap. In 2000 EastEnders character Ethel Skinner took morphine pills, aided by friend Dot Cotton.

An Emmerdale spokeswoman said last night: "We do not confirm or deny speculation about future storylines."

I don't watch soaps but a lot of people do. If it's done well and sensitively it could be a great base for a discussion/debate within families.

Stray I think they will have to be carefull with it.

ChAoTic. Emmerdale must be one of the most unluckiest villages around.
I think thay bring everything in to it.


Marion

I just wish that they would stop these 'insiders' leaking the storyline. I am aware it is 'only a soap' but it does spoil a lot of people's enjoyment to be told the storyline by people in the know. Of course, once it hits the media we are going to know as there is no way of avoiding it but it is a shame. I think Pauline Quirk has signed a contract which means she will be in for a while so maybe it won't happen for quite a long time yet.

Hi Ann

I remember Pauline as a child cant remember the programme ,but i never liked her. She has come a long way since then though.

Marion~~

Noo, the 'unluckiest village' has to be where Midsummer Murders is cast.
Don't know the fictional name, as I don't watch it, but one a week !!!!!!

~~Sandie.

I've never watched Midsummer murders. Have they had fires,explosions,a plane crash as well as loads of deaths and murders?
Emmerdale has had the lot lol

aw i loved pauline in birds of a feather.

i hope it is done sensible, i a soap addict n love knowing the story before it comes on screen i cant help meself haha x

sorry folks

but i have to say i dont agree with the story line
i find it distasteful and upsetting

and does no justice to people struggling
with such heart wrenching illnesses and disability's

Midsummer murders is set in several villages not just one.

Good for Emmerdale - I'm sure it'll be handled with the sensitivity and skill the programme usually manages.

Joy it is sad :((
A lot of the stories on soaps are upsetting to some more than others,but its a hard world out there and things happen in the real world.
They have had quite a few things on lately,anything to keep the ratings up.

ChAoTic.. thers probably been as many in Emmerdale alone lol

Uggers.. I'm sure they will handle it with care.

Marion

Pauline was in 'You must be joking' Thats where I remember her from as a child star
Shes been in loads of things.

Marion

I also find it distasteful.

Whether you like it or not it is yet another 'sensational' story line which has only one purpose - get the ratings up and so boost the income generated from the advertising on the night it is shown.

It's all about ratings I agree.

Marion

I think it will all depend how they handle it. If it is handled sensitively, showing the pitfalls, the oucome to the participants and the alternatives etc and don't sensationalise it, it might help somebody to decide against it, or not.

yes Marion i think you right its about ratings
i do hope this doesn't put ideas into peoples heads though
i dont object to euthanasia
i just think its not a nice subject for a soap
its a very private thing