Marshall was playing a cruel trick (Picture: ITV)

Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke) was left heartbroken in tonight’s Emmerdale episode as he discovered that Marshall, the boy he likes, had asked him on a date as part of a cruel dare.

In recent weeks, Arthur has been getting used to life as an out gay man, having finally confessed his feelings in late 2022.

Since then, he has confided in best friend April (Amelia Flannagan) about his crush on Marshall, a boy they go to school with.

With April going through a phase of teenage rebellion, she decided to throw a party while her parents were on a trip to the theatre. Discussing the plans with Arthur, she told him that he should invite Marshall.

Things started to go downhill when some lads from school, including troublemaker Gus, crashed the get together, having been told about it by Heath.

Later in the evening, Arthur and Marshall found themselves outside together. As Marshall asked Arthur what he liked about him, Arthur admitted that all the girls fancied him.

However, Marshall wanted to know what the boys, particularly Arthur, thought. He asked Arthur if he fancied him enough to go on a date.

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As Arthur accepted the offer, the party-crashers began sneering and laughing from the window above. They asked how Marshall was able to do that without being sick, to which he replied, ‘trust me, I nearly did’.

Poor Arthur was left mortified as Gus revealed that he was filming, and made fun of him for his sexuality.

As Arthur ran away with tears in his eyes, we were left wondering: How will he cope with this setback?

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Marshall played a cruel trick.