Emmerdale to put fan favourite at centre of new storyline

The ITV soap hopes to “challenge the perception of what homelessness looks like”.

The broadcaster has partnered with charities, including The Salvation Army, to develop the plot, which will centre on mechanic Kammy Hadiq, played by Shebz Miah, as it emerges that he’s homeless.

Despite maintaining a job and relationships in the village, fan-favourite Kammy has secretly been sleeping rough in vehicles and in barns.

Emmerdale’s most emotional exits

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said: “This storyline is a vital look at ‘hidden homelessness’, showing that people can be living on the edge of society, sleeping in their vehicle or barns, while still successfully holding down a job and maintaining relationships.

“For many reasons, a person’s circumstances can change dramatically and we wanted to challenge the perception of what homelessness looks like and prove that what people present to the outside world isn’t necessarily the whole story.

“We hope this narrative encourages our viewers to look closer and remember that things are not always quite as they seem.”

Emmerdale said it hopes the storyline will raise awareness of the realities of hidden homelessness and that those concealing their struggles often “miss out on the support and help they need”.

This is not the first time the soap has addressed homelessness.

Back in 2019, Emmerdale was praised for Bob Hope’s storyline, which saw the character, played by Tony Audenshaw, sleeping rough after a relationship breakdown.

More recently, the soap worked with the charity Missing People for a plot in which teenager April Windsor, played by Amelia Flanagan, ran away from home during the Christmas season.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and STV, and from 7am on ITVX, STV, and YouTube.

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