Emmerdale Rich has a huge link to the Dales according to fans who have ‘worked out’ a shock DNA twist
Emmerdale fans are certain they have ‘rumbled’ newcomer Rich Thompson’s true identity – and he’s related to a former Dales villain.
The trainee doctor, played by Joshua John, made his soap debut in January as the pal of Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant). And it’s fair to say his arrival ruffled plenty of feathers.
After Jacob’s mum Leyla (Roxy Shahidi) found cocaine in his bag, she demanded answers and later confronted Jacob at The Hide with Rich and a few other friends. Jacob insisted the drugs were not his – in which Rich revealed they were his.
After Leyla left, Rich started to flirt with Belle King (Eden Taylor-Draper) – and she soon shut him down. He went and bought her drink – but due to her being teetotal, cousin Noah Dingle (Jack Downham) drank it. Rich then ended up leaving after Belle called him out on his behaviour.
But things took a dramatic turn last week when Noah was seen wandering around in the countryside, which caused a limo to crash into a lake – killing three people, including Leyla. Noah is unable to remember what exactly happened – but several villagers are pointing the finger at Rich, accusing him of spiking the drink that Noah drank.
In reality though, Noah’s half-brother Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) drugged him. Noah’s mum Charity (Emma Atkins) later questioned Rich about spiking Noah – but he denied it completely, even telling them to go to the police as he has nothing to hide.
However, in what would be a huge twist fans have ‘rumbled’ Rich’s DNA link to the Dales as they are certain his dad is none other than Al Chapman (Michael Wildman).
Writing on an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one person wrote: “Joe’s such a creep. Poor Noah, so now we know it wasn’t Jacob’s rich friend who did it.” In the comments section, other fans speculated on a potential DNA twist.
“Jacob’s friend looks like Al, anyone remember him? He was Chas’ ex fella,” said a second person. A third chimed in: “His secret son?” Another agreed: “He was a dirty dog if I remember correctly so probably.” A fifth also declared: “Anything can happen!”
Fans will recall Al made his debut in 2019 as the ex-husband of Jessie Dingle (Sandra Marvin) and father of Ellis Chapman (Asan N’Jie). And it’s fair to say the businessman was well known for causing trouble in the Dales and found himself in the middle of a love scandal.
He ended up having an affair with married landlady Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) even though she was married to Paddy (Dominic Brunt) and he was also engaged to Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton). In 2022, Al was killed off when he was shot dead accidentally by Cain Dingle’s (Jeff Hordley) son Kyle in an attempt to protect him.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
