Emmerdale rape scene avoids Ofcom probe

The rape took place shortly after Pierce (left) and Rhona were married

A harrowing rape scene from ITV soap Emmerdale will not face an Ofcom probe despite generating 101 complaints.

Some felt the scene, in which Rhona Goskirk was raped by Pierce Harris just hours after their wedding, was not suitable for broadcast before 21:00.

But the media watchdog said the scene "was likely to have been in line with what most viewers were expecting".

"We took into account the broadcaster had issued a warning and the scene was limited," it said in a statement.

"Emmerdale is known to have covered many challenging social issues."

The scene, shown on 24 April, was the culmination of a long-running storyline involving Rhona, played by Zoe Henry, and her abusive partner Pierce, played by Jonathan Wrather.

"I know some have said it's too much for a 1900 time slot," Emmerdale producer Iain MacLeod told Metro after the episode was broadcast.

"My response to that is Emmerdale has always covered hard-hitting subjects and I think soap has a responsibility to cover them."