Emmerdale fans praise actress Amelia Flanagan as April's told she can't visit dad in jail

It's heartbreaking!

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Viewers of Emmerdale have praised young actress Amelia Flanagan for her emotional performance as devastated daughter April in the ITV soap.

On Thursday (January 30), fans of the show were heartbroken for the poor schoolgirl when she was told she wasn't able to visit her dad Marlon in jail.

Belle consoled an upset April (Credit: ITV)

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Viewers know that Marlon has been arrested and charged with the murder of Graham Foster.

We also know that Marlon wouldn't hurt a fly and the real culprit is still at large - Rhona's rapist ex-husband Pierce Harris.

Until Marlon can prove his innocence, however, April will remain separated from her dad.

Marlon and April in happier times (Credit: ITV)

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And it's a bitter blow for the little girl, whose real mum Donna Windsor died tragically in 2014 after choosing to take her own life, rather than die of a terminal illness.

April was also forced to say goodbye to her stepmum Jessie Grant in bittersweet scenes last year.

In upsetting scenes with Belle, Billy and Ellis, April was left in tears when she discovered she couldn't visit her dad in prison.

Belle tried to reassure April that Marlon would be able to cope in jail (Credit: ITV)

Billy broke the news that the prison doesn't allow under-16s to visit - a lie concocted to protect April from seeing her dad in such a horrible place - and April was clearly distressed.

She said: "A letter's not the same. I want to hug my dad. What if he's in there weeks? Or months? I'll never see him!"

Fans were gutted for the girl, and praised actress Amelia for her moving portrayal.

One said: "April is brilliant. Amelia Flanagan has a very bright future if she wants to keep up the acting as she grows."