Marshall Hamston (Max Fletcher) told Arthur Thomas (Alfie Clarke) that he’d like it if they could just be friends in Emmerdale, unable to contemplate a relationship right now.

The teen, as viewers know, bravely stood up to homophobic dad Colin (Mark Noble) after coming out as gay last week, with Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) subsequently agreeing to let him come stay with her.

Marshall settled in to his new home, with Monday’s (March 13) edition of the ITV soap seeing Laurel succeed in securing him his place back at Hotten Academy, after Colin agreed to sign off on it.

Arthur, meanwhile, apologised for being ‘weird’ after an innocent comment he made previously about going to Marshall’s room, but Marshall was quick to reassure him that he’s been the best friend he could’ve asked for.

‘You’re such a brilliant mate’, he said, ‘but I need you to stay as my mate. For now, while everything is so [weird].’

Arthur agreed, adding: ‘Mates it is! For now’, which received a smile from Marshall.

There has been a spark between the two boys for a number of months, after Marshall apologised for his role in a prank on Arthur, telling him that he does have feelings for him, with the two almost sharing a kiss.

Marshall subsequently told Arthur, who came out as gay last year, that he could no longer be his mate, after homophobic Colin, who’d complained to the school about Arthur’s LGBTQ+ presentation, learned that his son was friends with Arthur.

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Colin went one step further, insulting Arthur following his presentation, before trying to send his son to boarding school, which ultimately backfired with Marshall running away and hiding in Rishi Sharma’s (Bhasker Patel) home, where Laurel found him last week.

Jai (Chris Bisson), meanwhile, voiced his concerns to Laurel in Monday’s offering of the soap, worried about the effect Marshall’s presence in their home could have on their kids, but Laurel refused to give up on the teen when he needs them the most, unaware Marshall was listening in.

Emmerdale continues Tuesday March 14 at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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