Emmerdale spoilers follow.
The issue of hidden homelessness will be explored in a new storyline in Emmerdale – and bosses have explained how they hope to "challenge the perception of what homelessness looks like".
Kammy Hadiq, played by Shebz Miah, is popular in the community, has a job, and is embarking on a new relationship. But, as the new plot will explore, he doesn't have a fixed address and has been sleeping rough.
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“This storyline is a vital look at 'hidden homelessness,' showing that people can be living on the edge of society, sleeping in their vehicle or barns, while still successfully holding down a job and maintaining relationships," said producer Sophie Roper.
"For many reasons, a person’s circumstances can change dramatically and we wanted to challenge the perception of what homelessness looks like and prove that what people present to the outside world isn’t necessarily the whole story."
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She added: "We hope this narrative encourages our viewers to look closer and remember that things are not always quite as they seem."
The ITV soap has been working with charities such as The Salvation Army to depict the story, which will start to come into the foreground next week when Kammy is accused of being the farm's mystery fire starter.
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When Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle find him with a petrol can and lighter, they assume the worst, which – as actor Miah explained – is quite triggering.
"The accusation brings back a lot of trauma for Kammy, mixed with shame and anger," he said. "He's not had an easy ride, and all of this brings back a lot of unpleasant memories for him. He's got no leg to stand on, and it's one voice against the rest of the village."
Eventually, viewers will see Kammy sleeping on the Farm. "At first, I couldn't get my head around it, as Kammy is always so spick and span – but after working with a charity, I can see the rationale behind it. It's way more common than we actually think," Miah said.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
