Emmerdale has kicked off a dramatic new feud that’s set to dominate the village in the coming weeks, as tensions erupt between the King and Tate families following a shocking schoolyard fight.

In Thursday’s episode, Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) and Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) were both summoned to their children’s school after receiving a distressing phone call — and what began as a simple scuffle quickly spiralled into something much darker.

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Lucas Strikes Out

Dawn was horrified to learn that her young son Lucas had attacked Nicola and Jimmy King’s son, Carl Jr. Hoping to defuse the situation, she took Lucas to apologise. But when they arrived at the King household, the truth behind Lucas’s anger began to show.

Facing Nicola and Carl, Lucas refused to back down, declaring bluntly: “I’m not sorry. I’m glad I hit him.”

Nicola was furious, accusing Lucas of being a “jealous little bully” and blaming Dawn’s chaotic personal life — and her affair with Joe Tate — for her son’s behaviour. As the two mothers clashed, it became clear that their families were heading for a bitter feud that would engulf the village.

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The Shocking Truth

While the adults initially dismissed the altercation as a playground spat, spoilers for upcoming episodes reveal the disturbing truth: Lucas lashed out after discovering that Carl had shared indecent images of his sister, Clemmie Reed.

The revelation turns a simple school fight into a devastating moral and legal crisis, with Carl’s actions leading to a full police investigation and placing the King family under intense scrutiny.

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Dawn’s Desperation and Guilt

As Dawn tries to comfort her children, she becomes wracked with guilt for not recognising the warning signs sooner. Her protective instincts kick in as she realises just how much Clemmie has suffered in silence.

Speaking about the storyline, actress Olivia Bromley told Soap Scoop:

“I was really shocked when I first read this storyline because the children who are involved in it are so young. It’s a real problem in the world today. Dawn expected to have more time to prepare her child for the realities of life, and that’s what’s caught her off guard. I’m really glad we’re doing this story.”

The emotional plotline shines a light on the dangers of social media and online exploitation — and the heavy consequences even young characters can face when caught in its web.

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Feud of the Year

The fallout from Lucas and Carl’s fight is just the beginning. The tension between the Kings and the Fletchers is set to spiral into one of Emmerdale’s biggest feuds in recent years, tearing apart friendships and dividing the village.

With police investigations looming, accusations flying, and both families desperate to protect their children, it’s only a matter of time before someone crosses the line — and pays the ultimate price.