EMMERDALE has been hit by more than 100 Ofcom complaints about a ‘violent and tasteless’ soap death.
Viewers were left heartbroken when killer John Sugden claimed his latest victim.
The August 21 episode saw Mackenzie Boyd shot in the back with an arrow.
The mechanic had worked out that John had killed Nate Robinson months ago.
Mackenzie fled into the woods, but John prevented his escape by firing an arrow at his back.
A final flashback saw John throw a heavy rock down at a helpless Mackenzie.’
Viewers later saw blood stains in John’s van and a body covered by a sheet – seemingly confirming Mackenzie’s death.
The latest data shows Ofcom received 158 complaints following the grisly scenes.
After John’s brutal actions played out, fans soon took to X to complain.
One wrote: “Love emmerdale but this all seemed a bit much with the violence and the crossbow seemed in bad taste what with the recent real life tragedies.”
Another added: “@ofcom complaints incoming and this time you take action.”
A third said: “The writers have really crossed line bow and arrow after crossbow killings not right.”
A fourth chimed in: “Isn’t this a tad violent for early evening.”
While a fifth remarked: “A bit distasteful isn’t it having a serial killer kill someone with a bow and arrow havent you got any compassion for a presenter who lost his entire family by a bow and Arrow in real life.”
It came after the real life murder of three people by crossbow killer Kyle Clifford in July of last year.
The Sun previously revealed that Lawrence Robb, who played Mackenzie, had filmed devastating murder scenes for his character.
A source said at the time: “The scenes are going to be really harrowing for fans to watch.
“Mackenzie has been in so many scrapes and dangerous positions but this time it looks like he’s bitten off more than he can chew.
“Viewers will be on the edges of their seats watching what happens.”
Some fans believe Mackenzie may still be alive – as his corpse was not directly shown.
