Emmerdale’s Arthur Thomas sparks a showdown at The Woolpack next week after involving John Sugden in a lie about his sex life.

Arthur is left mortified as his attempts to impress his friend April Windsor backfire badly.

Next week’s episodes are eventful for the Thomas family, with Arthur and his mum Laurel both preoccupied by their respective love lives.

Laurel tries to hide the fact that she’s had a one-night stand with local vicar Charles Anderson, but her best friend Nicola King soon finds out.

Nicola is fully supportive of the romantic match, putting Laurel on the spot by asking why her fling with Charles seems to be over already.

When Laurel and Charles meet up to talk things through, they agree that they should go their separate ways.

This ultimately proves impossible and when they give into temptation again, Arthur walks in and catches them together. Laurel begs Arthur not to tell anyone, as she doesn’t want to be the focus of village gossip.

Arthur then takes things a step further, lying to April by claiming to have had sex with John. Laurel overhears the conversation and is furious over the age gap, with Arthur still just 17.

Laurel heads off to find John and tracks him down at The Woolpack, where she confronts him with Arthur’s claims.

A bewildered John of course denies everything, forcing Arthur to backtrack from his boasting.

In the middle of the row, Arthur also lets slip about Laurel and Charles’ new-found passion.

The revelation upsets Laurel’s estranged husband Jai Sharma, who’s been holding out hope for a reunion with her.

Emmerdale airs these scenes on Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4.