Emmerdale viewers were left uncomfortable last night after a date rape scene aired which was played by an actor who had previously been convicted of supplying GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate).
Actor Kris Mochrie pleaded guilty to supplying GHB and perverting the course of justice in 2010.
Ofcom reported that the episode raked in 39 complaints, after it was aired at 7pm on ITV.
The character of Victoria Barton, played by Isabel Hodgins, was brutally attacked by Lee, played by Kris Mochrie, and raped during the final moments of the episode after a night out with her pals.
Social media users were outraged – with one branding the move as ‘the sickest decision ever made in soap world’.
The scene aired last night and viewers were shocked at the timing of the scene and that Kris was cast to play it
One twitter user said it was the sickest decision ever made in soap world and branded in ‘illogical and depraved’
One social media user, Johnboy710 said the soap had plumbed the depths by hiring the actor
One user tweeted that they wanted to know why Kris had been cast for the role and urged people to google him
Little Miss Charmed said: ‘I think this is the sickest decision ever made in Soap World. It’s so illogical & depraved! Life wtf casting someone who has (more of less) been convicted of similar offences as the character hes playing. I’m all 4 giving some 1 a chance but this is crossing the line #Emmderdale.’
Another Twitter user said: ‘Well done #Emmerdale you have certaintly plumbed the depths tonight – jailed rape drug supplier #KrisMochrie plays a rapist but you sack someone for a social media post when they were a teenager you bunch of f****** hypocrites.’
Others stated that it was not appropriate for the scene to have been aired at 7pm, while some asked why the soap opera had cast him in the first place.
Shocking: The character of Victoria Barton, played by Isabel Hodgins, was brutally attacked by Lee, played by Kris Mochrie, and raped during the final moments of the episode after a night out with her pals
Lawrence Knight defended the actor and blamed the soap for airing the scene last night
During the scene Lee comes on to Victoria in her bedroom, but she demanded he leave.
‘You invited me in for a reason!’ he said to her, trying to kiss her again.
‘I’d like for you to leave now,’ Victoria said, opening the door. But Lee slammed it shut, grabbed her by the hair and covered her mouth with his hand.
Chucking her onto the bed, he hissed, ‘You’re a tease. And nobody likes a tease,’ as Victoria stared on, terrified.
Get out! Lee came on to Victoria in her bedroom, but she demanded he leave.
Rich Weaver (pictured above) said it had been inappropriate for the show to have been aired at the time it was
Sounds of her being raped could then be heard from the bedroom, as the camera panned away from the closed door.
Despite the initial onslaught from social media, some people defended the actor, and instead blamed the soap, claiming they had cast him to spark reaction.
Lawrence Kenwright said: ‘Kris has served his time, for something he regrets, putting a drug into his friends drink is without any doubt a bad thing. But this guy has served his time and has paid his penance, he is no way a rapist.
‘I have personally never met a nicer guy. If anyone is to blame here it is the casting team at Emmerdale, who have cast him to get this exact reaction.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: ‘We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.’
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Ofcom for further comment as it is not yet known whether the complaints are due to the fact that the episode was aired so early, or due to Kris Mochrie playing the role of a rapist.
While the majority of viewers tweeting about the incident thought it was great that Emmerdale had tackled the subject of rape, others found it simply aired too early on in the evening and did not make for suitable viewing.
However, others noted that viewers were given plenty of warning about the attack and the storyline had been building up to it for some time.
Moreover, it was felt that raising awareness was so important, that viewers were pleased that the subject was covered.
Isabel, who plays Victoria, tweeted on Wednesday evening: ‘Thank you for all your kind messages about tonight’s episode.
‘When emmerdale told me I was doing this storyline I was like oh crumbs that is a huge responsibility!!! If this story helps at least one person I’ll be forever thankful.’
Mochrie had previously admitted supplying class C drugs to a friend who collapsed in a Hull nightspot from taking the date rape drug in 2008.
Mochrie was sentenced to two years in prison at Hull Crown Court in 2010 for the supplying the drug and perverting the course of justice.
The actor, who found fame at 17 as Ali Gordon in Brookside, was on a night out in Hull with his friend and reality TV star, Danny Latimer, who starred in Desperate Scousewives and Shipwrecked in 2008.
Latimer ended up in am medically induced coma in intensive care after suffering a reaction to the GHB in his drink.
Mochrie pleaded guilty as Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told the actor he was ‘deliberate and selfish, and intended to divert police from your own criminal conduct’.
MailOnline has contacted ITV.