Is Emmerdale’s latest storyline CALLOUS OR BRAVE?
Soaps are known for their high drama when tackling harrowing subjects. Still, when Emmerdale announced Laurel Thomas, played by Charlotte Bellamy, 47, and her on-screen partner Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson, 45) will terminate their pregnancy after pre-natal screening shows their unborn baby has Down’s syndrome, there was uproar.
Critics said it perpetuated the idea that children born with genetic disorders and disabilities do not live worthwhile lives. The ITV soap was also accused of adding to the stigma and prejudice around the condition, and thousands have signed a petition titled ‘Bin Emmerdale’s Prejudiced Storyline About Down’s Syndrome’.
Yet producers,
