Emmerdale hit with Ofcom complaints as viewers accuse DI Malone corrupt cop plot of ‘misrepresenting’ police officers
Emmerdale have been hit with Ofcom complaints as viewers have slammed the portrayal of DI Malone.
The bent cop, played by Mark Womack, is the latest villain to grace the village and viewers are said to unimpressed with the way police officers are ‘misrepresented’ by the ITV soap.
The dodgy character first arrived in the Dales last month and has caused plenty of trouble for certain residents of the sleepy village.
Controversial character: Emmerdale have been hit with Ofcom complaints as viewers have slammed the portrayal of DI Malone
Since his arrival, he’s made enemies out of Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) and Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) – with Cain most notably riled up by the villainous cop.
And while his exploits have made for dramatic viewing for some, there are some fans of the soap who believe his corruption and the fact he has a fair few officers on his payroll is a step too far.
According to The Sun, nine people have complained to television watchdog Ofcom about the wily character, with many believing the plot portrays real officers in a bad light.
Unhappy: The bent cop, played by Mark Womack, is the latest villain to grace the village and viewers are said to unimpressed with the way police officers are ‘misrepresented’ by the ITV soap
A spokesman for the broadcasting regulator told the publication that the complaints were about ‘how the storyline involving police corruption was misrepresentative.’
DI Malone first arrived in the village last month to grill residents over the shooting of Robinson (Jurell Carter) after his estranged dad Cain mistook him for a rustler up at the farm.
But it since emerged that the gun he used actually belonged to DI Malone, paving the way for a sinister blackmail plot.
Enemy: Since his arrival, he’s made enemies out of Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) and Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) – with Cain most notably riled up by the villainous cop (all pictured left)
Too much: And while his exploits have made for dramatic viewing for some, there are some fans of the soap who believe his corruption and the fact he has a fair few officers on his payroll is a step too far
The devious officer further shocked Emmerdale fans over his recent threat to Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), stating he’ll use her for a prostitute and have her son Lucas taken away if Billy didn’t carry out an illegal deal for him.
It’s not just Ofcom that fans have complained to as viewers took to Twitter in their droves to slam the shock storylines involving the character.
‘The Malone storyline has got to be one of the most boring storylines ever. wrap it up already!!!’ tweeted one viewer.
Unimpressed: It’s not just Ofcom that fans have complained to as viewers took to Twitter in their droves to slam the shock storylines involving the character
While another complained: ‘Anyone else thinking this Malone storyline in #Emmerdale a tad far fetched? I know it went on in the 70s and 80s but in this day?’
‘How boring and unrealistic is this Malone storyline?’ questioned a third watcher.
‘This bent copper storyline is rather ridiculous or is it just me, I feel like it’s too far fetched all these officers scared of this one cop’ fumed a fourth.
‘The Treasure Hunt and DI Malone’s Bent Cop act have been diabolical!’ ranted a fifth.
With another adding: ‘This bent copper story is the absolute pits.’
Emmerdale airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm on ITV.
Shock plot: The dodgy character first arrived in the Dales last month and has caused plenty of trouble for certain residents of the sleepy village