Emmerdale viewers were left heartbroken for one beloved character after they fell victim to a cruel scam.

*Warning contains spoilers* Sam Dingle's fortunes plummeted from dire to disastrous in Friday's episode, available on ITV X now, as he tried to surprise Lydia Dingle with VIP Jason Donovan concert tickets.

Throughout the week, Sam and Belle Dingle had been frantically attempting to raise funds so they could purchase Lydia's coveted gig tickets.

On Wednesday, Sam hatched a scheme to pinch Christmas trees from Home Farm, explaining that if they flogged 20 trees for £50 each, they could afford the concert tickets and fix the cottage's electrics.

Sam, who works as gamekeeper at Home Farm, insisted Kim Tate and Joe Tate would never suspect him as he persuaded a hesitant Belle to join his scheme.

On Thursday, the pair executed their plan until they were caught red-handed by Joe himself, who retaliated by sacking Sam from his position for the betrayal, leaving him crushed and even more financially strapped.

This led Belle to berate Joe for dismissing Sam, declaring: "He made a mistake. He's skint, okay? We're all skint.

"We need to get the house rewired and all he was trying to do is raise a bit of money to buy Lydia these VIP Jason Donovan tickets."

Following a change of heart, Joe reinstated Sam in Friday's episode and even provided overtime opportunities so he could purchase the concert tickets. Later, Belle was over the moon when she saw Tracy Metcalfe advertising VIP Jason Donovan tickets online and quickly snapped them up.

However, when Sam went to collect the tickets from a bewildered Tracy, it became apparent that he had been duped as she disclosed her account had been hacked and she knew nothing about any tickets.

Upon realising he wouldn't be getting his money back and the tickets were counterfeit, an emotional Sam confessed: "That was all I had!".

Meanwhile, at Home Farm, an enthusiastic Joe inadvertently revealed to Lydia that Sam had bagged VIP Jason Donovan tickets as a surprise, leaving her thrilled...

How will Sam deliver the disappointing news that they won't be attending the concert and are now penniless?

Emmerdale continues on weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV X.