Donna flashback scenes leave Emmerdale fans feeling very emotional: 'So heartbreaking

Emmerdale aired old footage last night as Ross Barton had triggering flashbacks to when his lover Donna Windsor died. As he battled to save April from Jade and her henchmen, Ross had to fight his haunting past.

Fans found the old episodes interwoven with the new one very emotional. They felt they were reliving Donna’s death all over again.

April was heartbroken by the truth (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale last night

Jade proved to Ross she meant business about getting her £10k back on Thursday December 5 when she kidnapped April Windsor. She and her henchpeople drove April to the Hotten multistory carpark (where no one was parked, conveniently) and told Ross to get there fast – and alone.

He hijacked Billy’s car and raced to the carpark. But once there he realised exactly the significance of the venue: it was where Donna had died in 2014. As the soap aired footage from the event, Ross struggled to compose himself over April’s screams. She was being dangled over the edge of the roof and would only be brought to safety when Jade got her cash.

Fortunately, Mackenzie had come to his senses. He arrived with Aaron in the nick of time to hand back the money. Well, the seven grand that was left, at least. Although April was saved, Jade still wants her last £3k.

Ross then took April home and a throwaway comment led April to find out the truth about her mum’s death. She had only been five years old at the time, so had been shielded from it by Ross and her dad, Marlon.

Donna Windsor dies in Emmerdale — Donna’s death was relieved again (Credit: ITV)

How did Donna die in Emmerdale?

Donna had terminal lung cancer. She knew she didn’t have much longer left to live, so she got involved in criminal activity, alongside then-lover Ross. It was all to raise money to make sure her daughter was cared for after she’d gone.

But when she got involved with crime lord Gary North things went very wrong. Donna had tried to set Gary up on drugs charges, but he caught her and threatened April unless she retrieved some explicit photos for him.

Things turned bad and Donna and Gary ended up in a stand-off on the rooftop. She held her gun at him, but he promised to make April the subject of one of his photos if she shot. Donna then handcuffed herself to Gary and jumped over the roof.

Telling Ross she loved him, Donna knew she was going to die anyway and that taking Gary with her was the only way to keep April – and other young girls – safe. She then took her own life.

Donna took her own life in 2014 (Credit: ITV)

Fans heartbroken as they rewatch Donna scenes in Emmerdale

As the soap showed the scenes of Donna’s demise again, those watching at home were even more upset second time around.

“Verity Rushworth still so missed,” said one on social media with crying emojis.

Another added: “Brought memories back watching the Donna scene. Felt quite emotional! Brilliant acting from Amelia!”

“This episode in 2014 was so heartbreaking so to bring it all back was emotional but it was a brilliant episode,” agreed a third.

A fourth wrote: “Made me ever SO anxious watching a clip of Donna really LOVED her character and can’t believe you killed her off.”

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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