Emmerdale has shocked viewers with an unexpected twist – jailbird Charity Dingle has given birth to a baby boy.

Charity (Emma Atkins) has been in prison for the whole of her pregnancy after being convicted of insurance fraud, so in scenes from last night’s episode, her daughter Debbie (Charley Webb) was shocked to see her double over with stomach pains during a prison visit.

But the surprise was set to get even bigger when Charity was taken off to hospital – and emerged in front of a worried group of Dingles including Lisa, Zak, Chas, Cain and Moira holding a newborn baby boy.

Emmerdale
Debbie Dingle went to visit mum Charity in prison (ITV)

The child has been handed over to Debbie, who will be his legal guardian and bring him up while Charity is in prison, leaving the rest of the village wondering who the father could be.

Before she was locked up, Charity was still in the company of murderous ex Declan Macey (Jason Merrells), who tried to kill her before disappearing in the woods.

She was also kidnapped by Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) and asked former love Cain (Jeff Hordley) to wait for her just before being put in jail, despite him now being married to Moira (Natalie J Robb).

Emmerdale
Charity has made Debbie legal guardian of the baby (ITV)

This is the second time that Charity has welcomed a new baby behind bars – in 2004 her son Noah was delivered by caesarian while she was serving time for the murder of Chris Tate.

Actress Emma has been away from the ITV soap as she is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her first child, a baby boy.