All smiles at the wedding but it will end in violence

One of Emmerdale ’s most brutal and disturbing scenes yet will shock viewers tonight as Rhona Goskirk is raped on her Wedding night by husband Pierce Harris.

It is the third time controlling Pierce will be seen forcing himself on the much-loved character, but tonight’s scenes will be some of the most graphic any soap has ever dared to broadcast.

The violent attack comes after months of watching Rhona trapped in an increasingly controlling relationship.

Actress Zoe Henry says it is essential that the soap pushes the boundaries to explore the issue of marital rape.

The 43-year-old has daughter Violet, 12 and son Stanley, nine, with Dales co-star Jeff Hordley, 47 – who plays Cain Dingle in the ITV soap.

And she says being a mum has made her even more concerned about the issue of sexual consent.

Zoe says she's glad soaps have covered all the important issues of the day (Photo: WireImage)

She was perturbed when some fans on Twitter questioned whether the previous abuse was rape as the characters were in a relationship.

She says: “With this, there really is no grey area – non-consensual sex is rape.

“It doesn’t matter if you know that person or you don’t know that person.

“In that earlier episode a lot of the audience thought Pierce crossed the line, but interestingly a lot of the audience thought he didn’t cross it because they were in a relationship.

“Where do you even begin to debate that? It is really, really difficult.

“That’s why this is hugely important.” Continue from source.