Fans react as Emmerdale actor quits soap just seven months after joining | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

After just seven months on the ITV soap, an Emmerdale actor has left and his final scenes have even aired already.

Max Fletcher, who plays Marshall Hamston, bid farewell to the Dales on the latest episode and it has left one character in particular, Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke), heartbroken.

Max joined Emmerdale in January of this year, with his character struggling with his sexuality. During his short time on the show, he moved in with Arthur’s family after his father, councillor Colin Hamston (Mark Noble), disowned him after finding out that he was gay.

Upon moving in with Arthur and his family, viewers saw Marshall confide in Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) about his struggles to accept who he was and how this was affecting his mental health.

Fans also saw Arthur and Marshall’s friendship blossom into something more in recent months. But given that the two teenagers only started dating in May, many viewers were shocked when it was revealed on Thursday’s instalment of the soap that Marshall was leaving.

Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the character’s exit. One wrote: “Marshall left the Dales tonight. Wonder if he’ll be back and how this will affect Arthur in the future. Lovely character. Wishing the actor who played him all the best! Very talented young performer.”

Another added: “Who else knew that Marshall and Arthur would end this way. It was too much, too soon and he was completely overwhelmed by it all.”

While a third said: “Oh Arthur [heartbroken emojis] him and Marshall’s story is one of the best things # Emmerdale has done this year, it’s a real shame that it’s ended so suddenly and like this.”

A fourth also took to Twitter: “Marshall and Arthur saying goodbye got me emotional I liked them together.” [sic]

After he thanked Laurel for everything that she has done for him, Marshall packed his bags ready to go live with his aunt. It was then time for an emotional goodbye between the young couple.

It is not yet known whether Marshall could return in the future. But viewers will no doubt see Arthur attempt to get over the heartbreak of losing his first love in upcoming scenes of the ITV soap.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.