After a six-month absence, Arthur Thomas of EMMERDALE unexpectedly returns to the Dales.
Jai Sharma gets irritated in Emmerdale the following week when Caleb Milligan requests more cash to bribe their council contact.
Jai delivers a harsh warning not to be messed with.
Chas Dingle is unconvinced at Jai and Caleb’s attempts to act like ‘mates’.
Caleb heads off to cause havoc at Home James Haulage.
Jai ridicules Victoria Sugden as she tries to change a spare tyre.
Later, John Sugden plays the protective big brother as he confronts an intimidated Jai.
Meanwhile, a loved-up Gabby Thomas and Vinny Dingle are interrupted by Arthur’s return to Mulberry.
Arthur soon gives Jai a piece of his mind about the impact the divorce procedure stress is having on Laurel Thomas.
Jai’s unsettled to see Arthur means business.
Arthur – played by Alfie Clarke – is the son of Laurel and Ashley Thomas, half-brother of Gabby and brother of Dotty.
Arthur’s appearance was in March when his friend Heath Hope died in a car accident caused by his twin Cathy and the duo’s friend Angelica King.
Arthur mourns Heath and consoles both April and Cathy. He has his classmates sign a shirt for Heath and presents it to Heath’s stepmother Brenda Walker, who is touched by Arthur’s efforts.
Eagle-eyed viewers may remember that Arthur’s absence was mentioned on Emmerdale’s hour-long episode on Thursday 27th June 2024.
Viewers were informed that he had headed off to Australia as Laurel said: “Arthur’s in Australia and there’s more than enough room in the inn.
“Gabby, you and Thomas are family – you’re always welcome. And, to be honest, I could do with another woman in the house.”
Arthur joined his grandfather Doug Potts who departed the Dales for a new life in Australia in 2020.
In real life, actor Alfie Clarke is 16 – which means he was completing his GCSEs this summer and explains his current absence.
Arthurs storylines have included the accidental baby-swap which saw him being given to Greg and Melanie Doland, who gives birth nearby on the same day.
Arthur’s dad Ashley Thomas died in 2017, and the youngster battled to come to terms with the loss.Â
 In 2022, Arthur came out as gay to his family and friends.
While he was away, his mum Laurel suffered from a heart attack and was taken to hospital.
Now he is back and reunited with his mum Laurel who has gone through a huge amount of drama, including her divorce to Jai.
Can Arthur help her?
