Emmerdale airs shocking double exit for Brenda Walker and Cathy Hope in sad twist

has aired a double exit tonight in some emotional scenes. Cathy Hope - played by Gabrielle Dowling - and Brenda Walker - played by Lesley Dunlop - made their departure this evening.

At the start of tonight's episode, Eric struggled with his Parkinson's and fell over. Kerry then found him and checked if he was ok, but whilst he insisted he was, it made Brenda think she wasn't going to go on her cruise.

"I don’t need you. I got drunk, woke up with a hangover and felt wobbly. Lesson learned. No more night caps for me," Eric said, with Brenda adding: "I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re fibbing. And if I ever needed to hear the truth, I need to hear it now," as Eric opened up about his health and how he felt about her leaving.

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"I have problems with my Parkinson’s. The fall shook me up. So when you said you were going to stay, I was so desperate to hold onto you. And I remember when your face lit up when you talked about travelling the when you won this prize. Brenda, this is your dream. There won’t be other chances like this," Eric told her as he reassured her she needed to go.

"That’s what makes you so special. Even after what I put you through. You remain utterly devoted to me even though we’re no longer together. You would still sacrifice all that. I can’t let you do that. I will not allow it."

"I need to know you’ll be ok," she told him, as Eric replied: "I love you Brenda and that’s why I will never hold you back. It’s only a few months." Brenda made him promise to ring her if there were any problems.

"And you will ring me if you need help or anything. And that promise I made, I meant every single word of it. Wherever I am in the world. And even though we’re not together, I love you too," she said.

Brenda later visited Heath’s grave, where she promised him that she would be back in a "blink of an eye". Bob then came by and promised to put white flowers on the grave every week whilst she was gone.

In the final scenes from tonight's episode, Brenda and Cathy were seen saying goodbye to Nicola, Bob and Kerry. In a sad twist, it appeared that Eric wouldn't be there to say a final goodbye but at the last moment, he appeared.

Telling Brenda it wasn't a goodbye but just an au revoir, the pair shared a kiss before departing. It will also mark married couple Chris Chittell and Lesley's final scenes together. The pair have been married since 2016.

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