Arthur’s false sex claim against John spirals into huge public showdown in Emmerdale

There was a heated public showdown in Friday’s Emmerdale, as Arthur Thomas’ (Alfie Clarke) lies about John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) spiralled out of control.

The teenager has developed a crush on the village newcomer following his return from travelling around Australia, where he claimed to have left a trail of broken hearts.

Despite the age difference and John’s indifference towards him, Arthur is convinced he’s in with a chance.

On Friday, Arthur seized an opportunity to spend more time with John and ask questions about his van at the garage, where his friend April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) spotted him.

When she later confronted Arthur asking if he’d had sex with John, Arthur did nothing to deny this – but his mother Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) overheard their conversation and was immediately on the warpath.

Setting off to The Woolpack, she called out John in front of a pub full of punters, claiming he’d taken advantage of her son.

A horrified John did what he could to try and get Arthur to admit he’d lied about them having sex, but the teen refused, instead lashing out at his mum for sleeping with Charles Anderson (Kevin Mathurin).

But as his words about Laurel and Charles’ secret trysts left his mouth, in walked Laurel’s estranged husband Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson), who was flabbergasted to learn she’d already moved on.

As Laurel chased Jai out, John warned her and Arthur he would not be letting the allegations drop, vowing to clear his name.

Back at Mulberry Cottage, a row erupted between Laurel and Jai, who spat slut-shaming words at his ex-wife, before suggesting her actions were responsible for ‘the mess’ Arthur has made for himself.

With their divorce having previously turned nasty, what will Jai do next? And will Arthur confess to lying about John?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.