Emmerdale bosses have caused controversy by casting actor Kris Mochrie as Victoria Sudden’s rapist on the soap.
During last week’s Big Night Out episode, Victoria traigically ended up being sexually assaulted.
Now, ITV has angered fans by casting an actor in the role that has previously been convicted of supplying date rape drug GHB.
Kris was sentenced to prison for two years over the incident, which saw his friend collapse in a club after he spiked him with the notorious drug.
Kris plead guilty in court to supplying GHB and perverting the course of justice, and at the time according to The Sun, the judge told the actor he was “deliberate and selfish, and intended to divert police from your own criminal conduct”.
Following news of his casting, fans rushed to social media to hit out at bosses.
Some fans suggested that there was a double standard in play, considering actress Shila Iqbal was recently fired from the soap over behaviour in her past.
Shila was axed with immediate effect after three offensive tweets made when she was 17 and 18 were discovered on her social media.
“Double standards! So Emmerdale sack Shila Iqbal over stupid, offensive language in old tweets from years ago when she was young and then they do this?” one said.
A second viewer tweeted: “So long as he doesn’t make any ‘racist‘ tweets he’ll be fine.”
“Wow! So a convicted spiker is playing a spiker? Well done Emmerdale and ITV!” said a third angry fan.
While a fourth viewer noted: “Nothing like blatant disregard for real victims”.
Daily Star Online has reached out to ITV for comment.
Emmerdale continues tomorrow at 7pm on ITV1.