'It's a very stark warning!' Sophie Powles reveals hope that Emmerdale character Holly Barton's fatal heroin overdose raises addiction awareness

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Emmerdale viewers were left devastated by Holly Barton's shock death on Thursday's episode.

Moira Barton discovered her daughter Holly dead in her bed following a heroin overdose and Sophie Powles, 27, who played the tragic addict, hopes the shocking storyline will help to raise awareness of addiction. 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, she said: 'It's a very stark warning. I hope it raises awareness and gets more help for people who are struggling with addiction. We've shown the worst case scenario but there's help out there.' 

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Shocking scenes: After her character Holly Barton was killed off via a heroin overdose on Thursday's episode of Emmerdale, Sophie Powles revealed her hope that it will raise awareness of addiction

The youngster's sudden death came as a hammer blow to the show's army of loyal fans - who poured their hearts out on social media shortly after the moving scenes were broadcast. 

The heartbreaking scenes saw her mother Moira, portrayed by Natalie J. Robb, enter her daughter's room to see her seemingly asleep in bed.

Sitting down on the covers beside her, the mother reaches out to touch her child's hand - but pulls back in shock when she feels how cold they are. 

Shocking: Emmerdale viewers were left in shock last night as character Holly Barton was suddenly found dead from a heroin overdose

Broken: Moira Barton, played by Natalie J. Robb, cuddles her dead daughter in the emotional scenes, after Holly had suffered a lengthy drug addiction

Removing the covers from her teenager's face, her sudden death is clear to see. 

Glancing down at the floor, Moira then notices a foil drugs packet on the floor and puts two and two together, which is when the agonising realisation hit home -  a portrayal which was praised by viewers.

Viewers were left completely shocked by the scenes, taking to Twitter to express their upset.

One viewer wrote: 'I was NOT prepared for #Emmerdale tonight. Sob fest!' 

Shocking: Viewers were left completely shocked by the scenes, taking to Twitter to express their upset

 Tragic: Endless viewers were shocked at the sudden, unexpected event

Doting dad: ITV favourite Phillip Schofield, who has two young teenage girls of his own, was even heavily affected by the episode

Amazed: Many beloved viewers were impressed with how quiet they had managed to keep the storyline

Doing good: Meanwhile another applauded the soap for their treatment of the sensitive topic of drug addiction

 While another said: 'One of the most powerful episodes of #Emmerdale I have ever seen #Holly.'  

One viewer praised the secrecy of the whole storyline, writing: 'Like soaps used to be! Before all the story lines were leaked. Literally sat mouth open wondering what the hell's going on! #Emmerdale'

Meanwhile another applauded the soap for their treatment of the sensitive topic of drug addiction.

They wrote: 'Horrific to see but so well played @emmerdale. It shows what can happen & the suddenness of it all, and the after effects #ripholly #Emmerdale.'

ITV favourite Phillip Schofield, who has two young teenage girls of his own, was even heavily affected by the episode, writing to his 4.1million followers: 'Such a powerful @emmerdale... I just had to text both my daughters.' 

Emotional: The heartbreaking scenes see Moira, portrayed by Natalie J. Robb, enter her daughter's room to see her seemingly asleep in bed

Please no: Removing the covers from her teenager's face, her sudden death is clear to see

As the episode progressed, the death was met with more devastating reactions onscreen, including her mother Moira, brother Adam, step-father Cain and her boyfriend Jai Sharma.

Jai sadly revealed he had planned to take her on a romantic getaway to Paris upon hearing the news - although he could not suffer openly, as he had not informed his parents of their relationship.  

Actress Sophie announced in August that she would be leaving the soap for a second time, having already left in 2012, although it was not confirmed how or when. 

Stunning performance: Moira then notices a foil drugs packet on the floor which is when the agonising realisation hit home - a portrayal by Natalie J. Robb that was praised by viewers

End of an era: Actress Sophie Powles announced in August that she would be leaving the soap for a second time, having already left in 2012, although it was not confirmed how or when

Her character has been incredibly troubled since she returned in March this year, becoming heavily involved with heroin.

The addiction became so bad that she even attempted to steal stash to be able to pay for her next batch of drugs - resulting in her sister-in-law Victoria, who became caught up in the situation accidentally, being brutally beaten up. 

Jeff Hordley, who plays Holly's step-father Cain Dingle on the show, took to Loose Women on Friday morning to address the shock exit.  

Jeff as his character Cain was one of those shown to be heavily affected by the death in the episode.

Emmerdale's bad boy was one of the first to arrive to support the family, and attempt to aid his own distress and guilt, as her step-father who attempted to push Holly into giving up drugs in one stint.

Huge effect: Many characters were left devastated by the death, including Holly's step-father Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley

Revealing all: Jeff appeared on ITV's This Morning on Friday morning to discuss the shock exit

Discussing the challenging role, Jeff added: 'It was my job to keep her safe and I failed. There is also a lot of guilt on his part, he was always trying to shock her out of it, he pushed her.'

'It kind of backfired in his face and now she’s gone.' 

 Admitting they had known she was leaving, he admitted on behalf of the cast: 'When we heard Sophie was going we were gutted.' 

Challenging: Playing the dad who tried to get Holly to give up drugs, Jeff admitting playing both a guilt and grief-stricken father was difficult

Big secret: Jeff also addressed the show's ability to keep the storyline a secret, stating: 'It was good that we can still do this nowadays. There's too much feeding through social media'

'I think she didn't want to stay too long, she wants to do other things so she was alright about it. We just wanted to keep it under wraps.' 

The show was praised for keeping the story line so quiet on social media and in the press - a trait Jeff affirmed to the Loose Women hosts. 

He continued: 'It was good that we can still do this nowadays. There's too much feeding through social media.'

Looking forwards: He also added that his efforts to curb her addiction 'kind of backfired in his face and now she’s gone,' meaning his role will only get more challenging in future episodes