Emmerdale warns Jai and Laurel could split in new storyline

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Upcoming scenes on Emmerdale could place Jai and Laurel's relationship in jeopardy after the HOP (Hawksford Outdoor Pursuits) was imposed with a whopping fine following the adventure challenge disasters.

Jai now has to pay half of a £100,000 fine, but will soon resort to desperate measures by making a fraudulent loan application in Laurel's name after his own applications were repeatedly rejected.

Not only does it mark the beginning of a story thread which sees their relationship come under threat, but sets the tone for Jai's ruthless side re-emerging – in an effort to fix his financial problems.

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Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw spoke to Digital Spy and other media about the fate of the couple's relationship in future episodes.

"There's a difficult road ahead for Jai and Laurel," Laura said, before adding: "Jai's desperation to sort out his money woes steps up a gear and he'll go to extreme lengths to cover the money he owes for the HOP fine – so will his relationship with Laurel be jeopardised?"

She added: "We know how Jai can struggle when he's on the back foot and not winning at life – so will this send him spiralling back to his old ways and will we see a darker Jai emerge from all this?"

jai sharma gets caught between priya sharma and nell fairfax in emmerdale

ITV

Chris Bisson, who plays Jai, recently suggested his character's ruthless side could resurface if things continue to go badly for him.

Speaking late last year, Chris explained: "Becoming the majority shareholder at the HOP puts him in a slightly different position. Kim has managed to hand some shares over to Gabby just in time to sidestep this major crisis.

"It really is on Jai's toes to resolve this. Ultimately he's always been fairly ruthless in business and sometimes in love, so he's due a bit of a run now. He's been nice for a while.

"We've probably bought him back far enough to see he's a good person and a good dad, but when it comes to business, he'll do what he has to do to protect his family."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.