Emmerdale fans gasped ‘he has grown up so fast!’ after a ‘rare sighting’ one of the child stars leaves them open-mouthed on Monday night.

Last week saw parents Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) and ex-wife Dawn (Olivia Bromley) chatting about their son Evan (Malachi McKenzie) on the ITV soap.

The pair, who split last year, welcomed the youngster into the world back in 2023 and he was later diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

‘Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is a type of blood cancer. It starts from ​white blood cells​ called lymphocytes in the bone marrow,’ according to the Cancer Research website.

Since his diagnosis, he’s been through chemotherapy and lives at Home Farm with his mum Dawn, who had been having a secret affair with Joe Tate (Ned Porteous).

Evan’s health isn’t usually spoken about on the show, but last week the former couple agreed that they should tell their family about the success of his treatment.

Monday’s episode saw Evan’s step-grandmother Kim Tate (x) tell Dawn: ‘I heard the good news yesterday. I can’t imagine what it felt like after everything you have been through.’

Dawn replied: ‘What we’ve all been through. But yeah, I feel like I can enjoy him being a normal toddler, you know? Not a toddler going through Leukaemia care.

‘And the conditional order for the divorce came through. So that’s another thing out of the way.

‘So I feel like I can almost allow myself to feel happy.’

Kim asked: ‘Almost?’

Dawn explained: ‘The future has a habit of slapping you hard in the face.’

Those watching at home were shocked at how big Evan has got and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.

‘WOW Evan has shot up.’

‘I didn’t even know Evan could walk yet, he was a babe in arms last time we saw him.’

‘Finally Evan appears, good news but feel like they have not done much with the storyline.’

‘A baby Evan appearance! He’s gotten so big.’

‘Evan?? So big???’

‘Wow we have an actual Evan sighting in today’s Emmerdale they have remembered that Dawn has another son.’

It comes after it was revealed an Emmerdale star is set to return with a villainous new storyline after making a string of appearance on rival soaps – with fans bound to recognise her.

The actress, who has appeared on the likes of A Touch of Frost, and Midsomer Murders, last appeared on the ITV series in 2025 with a guest stint.

Now, she will be back for more, reviving her role as Doctor Todd in a compelling new storyline exploring workplace bullying and power dynamics.

Caroline Harker, who plays the character, will have an extended run on the series, as she appears as boss to trainee doctor Jacob Sugden, played by Joe Warren Plant.

Despite being a bright and ambitious young doctor, Jacob’s professional world will soon become a battleground in episodes that air later this month.

Doctor Todd will return with a vengeance, and will be quick to find fault and relentlessly critique enthusiastic Jacob, her trainee.

The storyline will follow Jacob as he struggles to manage his work-life balance under the growing pressure from his boss, who keeps a watchful eye on him at work.