THE Larkins viewers were left horrified as Pop Larkin was at the centre of a terrifying showdown with a gun wielding shoplifter.
The golden-hearted wheeler dealer Pop – played by Bradley Walsh – helped to investigate an ongoing spate of burglaries in the village this Christmas.
The residents pointed the figure at ex-convict Ambrose Nunn, convinced that he was the culprit.
There was a growing list of victims, including Miss Pilchester, the Normans and Johnny Delamere who had been burgled.
While PC Harness applied his limited gifts to find the thief, Pop declared that he would get to the bottom of it and “save Christmas”.
He goes with the constable to interrogate Nunn, but he doesn’t take kindly to the accusations and furiously pushes Pop up against the wall..
However, Nunn then broke down and explained that he can’t find any work and is distraught that the whole village hates them – but is adamant that he is not the offender.
But Pop was still on a mission to find the culprit and sets a trap to catch the person.
As the residents gathered to watch the Nativity, Pop remained at the local corner shop where he kept a low-profitle and waited for the lawbreaker to arrive.
Leaving Pop shocked, Nunn’s teenage son Roy turned up with his swag bag and was caught red-handed.
The youngster admitted that he has been committing the burglaries because he’s fed up of being poor.
Intent on keeping Pop’s mouth shut, Roy pulled out a gun and started brandishing it about.
He then shot the floor to show he meant business.
Pop is forced to talk the agitated boy down, but the pair get into a scuffle with the gun going off.
Viewers were shocked as they saw blood splatter on the pavement outside the shop and feared for Pop’s life.
One wrote: “Was not expecting a shooting in the Christmas special.”
Luckily, Pop was managed to get away unscathed and joined his family at the Nativity.
He later revealed that the stolen items were found in a shed and returned the items to the residents.
Viewers saw Roy appear smug as he smirked thinking that he had got away with it.
Meanwhile, Mariette and Charley returned to the village for good.
Pop and Ma were overjoyed to have the pair back, but when Charley’s parents arrive to meet the Larkin clan – Charley is not happy.
Mariette meets Charley’s parents for the first time but after getting mucky in the farm she doesn’t impress them.
However, after a few days together the Larkins win over his parents and Mariette and Charley delights both families by getting engaged.
Elsewhere, the entire village is left without lighting and heating following a power cut, but the Larkins save Christmas with their farm generator and the village relocate the Nativity there.
