Emmerdale fans watched on in horror as Cathy Hope nearly died on Friday night’s episode.
The troubled teenager, who has been struggling with mood swings, manic episodes and heavy periods for months, stole a bottle of whisky and decided to climb up onto the wall of the bridge – only to nearly lose her footing.
Cathy’s reckless behaviour was a desperate cry for help, with her father Bob (Tony Audenshaw) and Dr Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) arriving at the scene at just the right time.
Fans took to Twitter to laud Emmerdale over the episode and said it would have created terrifying flashbacks for Dr Liam as his daughter Leanna was murdered by Meena Jutla on the bridge.
One viewer wrote: ‘Good as always Please can I say how well Emmerdale is dealing with Mental health issues Especially Bob with his daughter Cathy Well done to all.’
Another added: ‘The storyline is so important to raise awareness #emmerdale cathy, while a third chimed: ‘Poor Cathy, it’s a brilliant storyline to show.’
‘My heart breaks for Liam seeing Cathy almost fall off the bridge the same way Leanna did. Given we know that Liam attempted to take his own life in the past as well it’s even more heartbreaking,’ typed another.
‘Poor Liam having to see Cathy on that bridge and reliving the fact that he lost his daughter there. Terrifying flashback,’ said a different viewer.
‘Amazing scenes tonight Gabrielle is such a wonderful actress and I can’t wait to see more of Cathy’s story play out on screen,’ wrote another fan.
Bob has struggled to notice his daughter Cathy’s deteriorating mental state, focused on the re-opening of the B&B with business partner Bernice.
Recent episodes have seen Cathy played by Gabrielle Dowling, struggling with heavy periods, and after confiding in Bernice, Manpreet prescribed her The Pill.
However, Cathy’s erratic behaviour has grown increasingly worse, especially after Bob she lost her temper and admitted he’d rather she kept away from the B&B.
He screamed: ‘I am on red alert most of the time. Scared of what’s going to upset you or make you lose your temper next.
‘And you know, you can’t hide behind your periods for everything.’
‘Thanks, dad for making me feel great about myself,’ Cathy said as she burst into tears.
In upcoming episodes, Doctor Manpreet Sharma and nurse Wendy Posner will make a breakthrough regarding her health, as they work out a possible diagnosis.
Emmerdale airs weekdays from 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
