‘Emmerdale’ viewers 'love to hate' Al over affair says Michael Wildman

The affair between Emmerdale’s Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and Al Chapman (Michael Wildman) has been playing out for months now, but the stars who play them are well aware that viewers are unimpressed with the storyline.

With their alter egos' deception on the brink of being exposed, Pargeter and Wildman talk us through the strong reaction to Chas and Al as lovers.

“They love to hate [Al],” says Wildman of the soap's audience.

Read more: Lucy Pargeter celebrates 20 years as Chas

“It’s much easier for Al because he’s got less to lose; Chas is married and she’s got a kid.

“So generally I’m met with a raised eyebrow, and someone will say to me, ‘he’s a naughty boy, isn’t he?’”

Pargeter adds: “People are really, really not liking them together. You have got the cheerleaders for Al and Chas, but you’ve definitely got the absolute haters for Chas and what she’s doing to Paddy, and the reasons behind what she’s doing with Al.”

Asked further about the betrayal of Chas’s poor husband Paddy (Dominic Brunt), she exclaims: “I know, I hate what she’s doing.”

When Wildman points out that, of course, the soap was never going to win over the fans with this one, Pargeter agrees: “We were never going to win people over to Al and Chas when Paddy was involved.”

Read more: Emmerdale star on Cain and Al's explosive feud

Paddy will finally grow suspicious next week, as Chas tries to prevent son Aaron (Danny Miller) from revealing everything while Al keeps fiancée Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) at bay. Here, the actors give an insight into developing this story along the way.

“It hasn’t been easy, because [the affair] initiates quite quickly, and then you’re working around everyone else’s storylines and feeding other storylines as well,” he reveals.

“But it does allow for it to slow-burn, and we needed that because we needed to cement this relationship; because we know we’re going to be up against it in terms of people’s [reactions].

“We needed to create those moments where they are sincere, and you feel actually, this is not just about them getting together and doing what they’re doing; this is about something that’s much deeper. And also it’s something that they just can’t avoid, it’s been on course.”

Pargeter, meanwhile, admits that she didn’t necessarily relish the idea of Chas in the arms of another man. But such is the nature of soap.

“Over the years, the amount of stories that have been pitched and given to you are a massive gift to have. But not all the time do you believe it, not all the time can you justify it as yourself.

Read more: Emmerdale: The timing of Aaron’s chaotic homecoming couldn't be more perfect

“You have to put yourself in the character’s position and go ‘okay, this is what I’ve got to do, I have to try and believe it.’ I don’t necessarily have to like it, personally, but as an actor you have to find the truth in it.”

Amid the drama of the affair, Emmerdale has teased that Al is about to feel the wrath of Chas’s brother Cain (Jeff Hordley) once more.

“It’s about time!” says Wildman. “It’s been in the making for a long time, let’s get on with it! It’s a situation which surely has to [happen] - they’ve got to meet.”

Watch to catch up on Chas and Al's affair drama in Emmerdale