Viewers are predicting a violent twist on Emmerdale, as they think they know where Arthur Thomas’ storyline is headed.

The character has been furious with his mother Laurel Thomas recently, amid her romance with criminal Ray Walters who was recently murdered. We’ve seen him shouting at her and being quite aggressive, lashing out over recent events.

Next week things take a turn when Laurel is injured, and she has to be rushed to hospital. As the mother and son have yet another row, things get heated and Arthur shoves his mum to the floor.

As she falls, she ends up slamming her head against the bottom step. Arthur is left panicked as his mum is rushed to hospital, but is this the start of a devastating new storyline for the pair.

It isn’t the first time Arthur has exhibited worrying and violent behaviour. Years ago, Arthur bullied his younger stepbrother Archie Sharma, before being exposed.

He’s changed his ways and since then, and he’s grown up to be a caring character. He seemed quite close with his family, until recently when he became distant with his mum once again.

Fans think the recent anger issues and the upcoming violence are all signs of a new plot for Arthur, that may revisit his previous behaviour. Viewers are worried that Arthur’s anger and possible violence will continue, and that he could target Laurel.

Taking to social media one fan questioned: “Ever since Arthur got mad and her Mum hitting him during the Ray flashback week last month, are we potentially seeing Child Abuse? I had a feeling it was coming during that.”

This led to a fan believing it would be Arthur harming Laurel, writing: “I think it will be more Arthur starting to abuse Laurel, so like parental abuse.” Another agreed: “I think you’re right with this theory.”

A fourth fan said: “Arthur’s behaviour and attitude have not been right recently. He’s got an entitled attitude and is already displaying manipulative tendencies and verbally aggressive outbursts.”

Another fan said: “This is my theory too. Arthur is definitely going to start being violent with Laurel.” A further comment read: “This isn’t the first time he’s been abusive.

“He had some abusive tendencies when he was a child, and he was physically and mentally abusing Archie, when him and Jai moved into where Laurel and the rest of the family lived. Arthur has been through a lot as well, but it’s still not an excuse for what he has done and is doing to Archie and Laurel respectively.”