Emmerdale slammed by hundreds of complaints over Celia scenes – but worse is coming

Emmerdale is under intense fire this month as its disturbing Celia Daniels(Jaye Griffiths) trafficking storyline continues to spark outrage.

The soap has now been hit with more than 350 Ofcom complaints in just two days, pushing this plot into the lead as the most complained-about soap storyline of the year, and according to both the show and Celia actress Jaye Griffiths, the worst is far from over.

For months, viewers have watched in growing disbelief as Celia’s operation has expanded from quiet manipulation into full-blown exploitation.

Her criminal network, involving grooming vulnerable teens into drug running, sexual exploitation and even murder, has steadily tightened its grip on April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) , turning the once light-hearted teen storyline into one of Emmerdale’s darkest ever arcs.

But it was last week’s episodes that sent complaints skyrocketing. On December 2 and December 4, Ofcom logged 59 and 297 complaints, respectively, with many viewers saying the scenes crossed a line too far.

The episodes showed April finally confessing to her family what Celia and Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) had dragged her into, only for the situation to become even more terrifying. Instead of being rescued or protected, April and her family found themselves threatened yet again, culminating in Celia issuing a brutal order to have April’s boyfriend, Dylan, murdered while her loved ones were forced to helplessly watch the attempt unfold.

The soap also depicted the family desperately begging police for intervention, only to be dismissed and left to fend for themselves. For many viewers, that lack of support, combined with Celia’s escalating ruthlessness, is what made the episodes especially uncomfortable.

Ofcom had already received more than 100 complaints earlier in the storyline when April was tricked into going to a hotel room where a man had paid to rape her. The scenes showed April bravely fighting back, striking the attacker and fleeing in fear for her life.

After she confided in Ray, he and Celia manipulated her into believing she had killed the man, a lie designed to trap her deeper into their control. Although the attacker survived, the belief she’d taken a life left April terrified, trapped and unable to reach out for help.

It’s this blend of psychological manipulation, physical danger and emotional torment that has viewers struggling.

Jaye Griffiths explains why Celia Daniels is only getting colder

Speaking to Metro, actress Jaye Griffiths shed light on why Celia has been behaving with such calm intensity, even as everything seems to unravel.

When asked whether Celia is panicking because parts of her operation appear to be slipping away, Jaye made it clear her character doesn’t flinch easily:

‘Nope. Celia doesn’t do panic. Is she becoming concerned that some strands are becoming detached? Yes… She’s dealt with much bigger problems than this.’

This casual attitude explains why Celia has been unfazed even as April and Dylan grow increasingly unpredictable. According to Jaye:

‘Most of her mules are young people… She has many contingency plans. This is a common problem.’

When asked whether she fully trusts Ray, the answer was blunt: ‘She loves Ray, does she trust him? No.’

In fact, Jaye hinted that Celia has started noticing inconsistencies in Ray’s behaviour: ‘She is beginning to suspect that there is more to suspect about Ray in this moment.’

Celia thinks April is becoming a ‘liability’

As April’s panic grows, Celia’s patience thins, and Jaye confirmed that the character is reaching the end of her tether with the vulnerable teen:

‘April is now becoming a liability… she is taking up too many resources… April is getting down to one or two more chances left.’

The actress also revealed how Celia and Ray have been able to wedge April away from her loved ones so effectively:

‘It’s incredibly simple. You just divide and conquer… you sow seeds of doubt, then you back them up until you get what you want.’

For viewers who have been horrified by the manipulation, Jaye’s explanation will likely make the scenes feel even more chilling.

How far would Celia go?

When asked how far Celia would go to save herself, Jaye emphasised the character’s utter lack of emotional attachment to her environment:

‘She just moves on and sets up somewhere else… She would simply deny and move on.’

Despite that, Celia’s sense of loyalty, however twisted, remains intact:

‘Would Celia turn on Ray? No. He would have to be so disloyal to her, that she simply cannot envision it.’

Jaye even acknowledged that while viewers are horrified, they’re also fascinated: ‘People are drawn to watching. They don’t want to meet her, but they want to watch her.’

And she hinted strongly that Celia’s empire may only grow from here:

‘Watch this space. She has fingers in many pies.’

Despite the backlash, the Celia storyline isn’t wrapping up any time soon. Emmerdale sources have confirmed the plot will continue running for ‘a while yet,’ meaning viewers should brace themselves for more trauma, more manipulation and more fallouts.

And given the scale of the complaints so far, the next episodes may push the controversy even further.