Emmerdale fans have been concerned for Matty Barton’s future in the ITV soap after the fan favourite was thrown behind bars for stabbing Samson Dingle. Is his exit looming?
Matty Barton is facing tough times inΒ EmmerdaleΒ after being framed for stabbing Samson Dingle and viewers fear this could lead up to his heart-breaking exit.
The Hide employee played byΒ Ash PalmiscianoΒ recentlyΒ tied the knot with Amy WyattΒ but was thrown into a new dramatic storyline, highlighting the struggle trans people face when facing legal and prison trouble, after a scuffle led to him accidentally stabbing Samson Dingle.
Prior to the jaw-dropping twist, the lad was wreaking havoc with his new pal Josh, the latter of which issued Matty with deeply transphobic remarks, ridiculing his marriage to Amy.
Matty was promptly arrested by the police when Josh made out that he savagely attacked Samson and when he was released on bail, his mother Moira Barton and stepfather Cain Dingle joined forces with Amy and her mother Kerry Wyatt, convinced Matty had been framed.
The group have tried to get Samson to tell the truth about his attack, unfortunately, the lad has remained under the influence of his new friend. Matty tried to get through to the youngster, breaching the terms of his bail, by paying him a visit at Wishing Well Cottage.
Unfortunately, Samson doubled down and called the police shortly after Mattyβs visit, telling them that he had been intimidated by him. The authorities soon caught up with MattyΒ and arrested him on the spot.
In more recent scenes aired earlier this week, a defeated Matty was transported to prison and struggled to adapt to his new routine, fearing he could be the target of more transphobic hate behind bars if he was to mingle with the rest of the prisoners.
Since then, viewers of the Yorkshire-based program have been speculating that this could be actor Ash Palmiscianoβs last storyline in the Dales and one devastating theory has emerged online: βI think Matty might attempt suicide in prison #Emmerdale @emmerdaleβ, one fan penned on X, otherwise known asΒ Twitter.
Another handful of fans believe he could remain stuck in prison as Samson starΒ Sam HallΒ isΒ due to leave Emmerdale himself. But the storyline could also lead to another potential outcome.
Recent spoilers have revealed that Kerry, Moira and Amy will be going above and beyond to try and get Matty released, with Kerry trying to record a confession from Josh.
While this may backfire on her, Samsonβs upcoming exit could hint that he may be the one to end up in prison for perverting the course of justice along with Josh. This would then allow Matty to be released.
Samson has been causing trouble in Emmerdale in recent years and many viewers have complained about his behaviour, most notably towards Amelia Spencer, with whom he shares a daughter named Esther. Could a stint in prison be what he needs?
No mention of Ash Palmisciano leaving the eponymous village has yet been made, igniting hope that Matty Barton could stick around in Emmerdale. But could another shocking death be aired without warning?