Eagle-eyed Emmerdale fans spot THIS bizarre twist in THREE kissing scenes tonight

Emmerdale
(Image credit: ITV)

Emmerdale fans noticed something different tonight...

Tonight's Emmerdale saw social distancing rules being observed - showcasing the soap's first kissing scenes at the government required two metre distance.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the usually steamy scenes between characters had been reduced to innuendoes and off screen kissing, spotting three scenes tonight that should have had more intimacy than they did.

Harriet and Will Emmerdale

Will got down on one knee to propose, but wasn't allowed to put the ring on his wife-to-be's finger (Picture: ITV)

Harriet and Will

First up was Harriet Finch and Will Taylor.

The recently-engaged pair made things official tonight when Will got down on one knee and proposed with a ring.

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But fans noticed that this was the most socially-distanced proposal ever, with Will not only being unable to hug and kiss his future wife, but he couldn't even put the ring he had bought on her finger.

Wendy and Bob

Next up was Wendy Posner and Bob Hope.

After yet another series of miscommunication errors, they found themselves confessing their true feelings for one another.

At a two metre distance, of course.

Bob was convinced that Wendy was having a secret fling with one time village lothario Rodney Blackstock, but as usual he was barking up completely the wrong tree.

Wendy and Bob Emmerdale

Wendy and Bob got their new romance back on track, but their first kiss happened off screen (Picture: ITV)

Bob followed Wendy to get some answers, only to find her in the middle of a dark field with nothing but some night vision goggles for company.

Thankfully, Wendy was quick to explain that she was an avid birdwatcher.

But once back at Wendy's house, Bob told her how much he wanted to kiss her... only for the scene to cut just before their shared their first kiss.

Wendy and Bob Emmerdale

Wendy and Bob made sure they kept their distance despite their feelings for one another (Picture: ITV)

Fans noticed the social distancing going on in Bob and Wendy's romance, and took to Twitter to share their thoughts...

Leyla and Liam

And finally it was Liam Cavanagh and Leyla Harding's turn to get steamy... without actually getting close to one another.

The pair were tricked into arriving at David's shop after closing by their kids Leanna and Jacob.

Once there they discovered it was all a trick to get the pair talking again.

Liam and Leyla Emmerdale

Liam and Leyla are back on, but aren't allowed near one another (Picture: ITV)

The teenagers had set up a romantic drink for the former couple, encouraging them to get back together.

Emmerdale fans will know the pair have been miserable since they separated and only called time on their romance thanks to Leanna's meddling.

So it didn't take long for the couple to get reacquainted, confessing they both still had feelings for one another.

Liam and Leyla Emmerdale

Leyla gave her best smouldering look to hint at the passion between her and Liam (Picture: ITV)

But while Liam remained at a safe distance from Leyla, she did her best smouldering look to hint at the passion that was about to happen off air...

With social distancing scenes like this becoming the new normal for the foreseeable future, how many more will fans be able to spot?

Emmerdale will temporarily air a reduced schedule of three episodes a week.

Watch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.