ITV Emmerdale's Dawn and Billy's relationship 'strained' after devastating baby news

Emmerdale's Dawn (played by Olivia Bromley) and Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) live every parent's worst nightmare next week when their baby son Evan is rushed to A&E after Dawn spots a new bruise on his leg. Official spoilers released by ITV show that after examining the tot, a pediatrician asks to complete blood tests.

Having seen the results, they then take an urgent bone marrow biopsy as Evan has low hemoglobin and platelet levels so more tests are required. A choked-up Billy returns home and explains it could be an infection, autoimmune disease, or even something like Leukaemia, although obviously they are hoping for the best.

The next day, the doctor confirms the results of the bone marrow biopsy show Evan has a form of Leukaemia. The couple are devastated and Dawn buckles at the news. This is just the start of their nightmare as they have months of treatment ahead for the youngster.

Speaking exclusively about the storyline to Express.co.uk and other media, Olivia confirmed that this story will run for a while. "This isn't going to be a quick story with a quick solve. So there's a lot of dynamics. But I think the thing that's quite draining is that the relationship between Dawn and Billy is very strained."

"And whereas they've always been a massive support for each other, I think what has felt quite like heavy is that they are pulling apart and really going for each other. So that's a difficult element of it," she admitted.

Jay also admitted to finding the story difficult but for more personal reasons. "When I got the story I'd literally just had another baby in real life.

"And now I'm worried about my own child and watching him grow like that you don't really want something like this happening."

"I think it happens with everyone, especially as a parent, you become a lot more concerned and that's why I think these stories are really pivotal to show because it makes you think about it a little bit more and makes you a bit more aware," he pondered

"You are really stressed about your own kids and just making sure that you spend enough time with them because obviously, nothing is certain. You don't know what's around the corner," he said becoming emotional.

"I think everyone has someone in their family or knows someone who's got cancer of some sort and it's one of those things where it just is quite difficult to play with when you want to get it right."

Of course, alongside Dawn and Billy thre is a third person involved in this storyline - baby Evan.

Reflecting on working with him Olivia gushed: "We're working with a real baby who we love.

"It's amazing and his parents are amazing but that's quite impactful isn't it? Seeing him there in the hospital.

"I'm sure difficult for his parents to watch us play this story. It really brings it home," she ruminated.

Emmerdale is on ITV weekdays at 7.30pm.