Emmerdale viewers were left feeling “let down” by some news shared by a character on Monday night. After the recent death of Leyla Harding, who had been on the show for 16 years, fans were hoping for a fitting farewell when her funeral airs this week. However, they were instantly annoyed when Leyla’s son Jacob Gallagher announced two notable absences. Sarah Sugden found her love interest in tears during Monday’s episode, and he quickly explained what had upset him so much. He revealed that he’d reached out to family members after Leyla’s death, hoping to see his adoptive mother Alicia, Leyla’s sister, and his father David Metcalfe at the funeral. Alicia left the soap several years ago and hasn’t returned since, while David left in 2023 on bad terms with his son.
Jacob has been left devastated over Leyla’s death
After Jacob started dating his father’s ex Victoria Sugden, the relationship left David heartbroken and feeling betrayed as he’d hoped to get back together with her. David soon left the village with his young son Theo, and it seems he and Jacob haven’t made amends since. David refused to return to the village months after his departure because of his son’s actions. But given Jacob’s loss and David’s close relationship with Leyla, fans were outraged on Monday night when it was revealed onscreen that he wouldn’t be returning for the funeral. He told Jacob that his son Theo was unwell and so he couldn’t attend the service.
Alicia left the soap several years ago
(Image: TV Grab)
Emmerdale viewers were left reeling as Jacob faced the heartbreak of grieving alone, with Alicia missing her sister’s funeral due to a supposed broken leg. Fans took to social media to express their dismay, with one tweeting: “Madness as they could have come back for one episode surely.” Another chimed in: “You would think they would have David back for the funeral, for Jacob’s and Eric’s sake,” while a third commented: “How many times has Alisha broken her leg? Seems to be the same excuse every time.”
David Metcalfe is also not returning to the village for Leyla’s funeral
The frustration continued with another fan posting: “I know it’s because of the actor, but David completely washing his hands of Jacob is disgusting (and no I haven’t forgotten what happened with Victoria), his mums just died and he still doesn’t want to know.” One more viewer added: “I’d have loved to see David and Jacob reconciling at Leyla’s funeral, or Alicia returning to comfort her son when he needs her most – just like I would have loved to see Debbie at Zak’s funeral – but the reality is that most of us don’t remain in call for our former employers when we leave the company. So it’s disappointing, and definitely a missed opportunity for some moving scenes, but not really a great surprise.”
