It’s been an explosive start to 2026 for the ITV soap
Ray was heartbroken in the recent installment of Emmerdale(Image: ITV)
Emmerdale fans are convinced that a villager isn’t really dead after a “telling” clue was aired as Ray Walters bid farewell.
Last year, Bear Wolf disappeared from the village for months, telling son Paddy Kirk that he would be in Ireland to visit some old friends from his wrestling days. His brief exit came after he had been struggling with feeling isolated, as he opened up to Dr Liam Cavanagh about his lack of sleep.
While viewers hadn’t seen him in a while, it was soon revealed that he was caught up in a cruel world of modern slavery – ran by Celia Daniels and her adopted son Ray Walters.
Ray had already made himself known to fans of the ITV soap as he involved teenagers Dylan and April into his drug business, telling them that they owed his boss thousands of pounds. That boss being Celia, of course.
Back to Bear, however, he went by the name of Ted and was worked to the bone on Celia and Ray’s farm. Although befriending Anya, another slave, Bear grieved as she died following an infection.
He was then made to dig her grave and bury her himself. It was only recently that their operation had started to be exposed, with April spilling everything to Marlon and Rhona about the drugs.
Celia decided enough was enough, and instructed Ray to kill April, while she promised to kill Bear. However, Ray had developed a bond with Bear, and after Celia tried to stop him from leaving her for Laurel Thomas to start a new life, he stabbed her and left her for dead on the kitchen floor.
Before leaving, Ray went to wear Bear slept and was seen apologising to him from the doorway. While Bear remained motionless, it appears Celia may have gone through with her end of the bargain after all.
Ray bid one final farewell to Bear Wolf(Image: ITV)
Some viewers aren’t convinced that Bear will actually have been killed, and on X (formerly known as Twitter), matt528chap pointed out: “Bear is definitely not dead-His hand moved!” as @DavidFr93914926 added: “Surely Bear isn’t dead in #Emmerdale? His storyline – rehabilitation after what he’s been through – feels like it has someway to go yet”.
Another viewer, @ryansoapking25 wrote: “I don’t think Bear is actually dead” as @mrs_vandebilt25 suggested: “I wonder if she’s drugged Bear, the fact Ray just stood at the door crying, I reckon Bear is alive”.
Discussing his latest storyline, actor Joshua Richards shared: “I think the viewers can’t wait from the feedback I’ve been getting from people in the streets and from family and family. They can’t wait for them to get their comeuppance.
“And of course, I suppose we as arbiters of what’s right and wrong on TV, ITV can feel justified in saying, yes, we can end this now, because the viewing public are fed up with these people and the terrible acts they are committing.
“But I thoroughly enjoyed working with Joe Absalom and with Jaye Griffiths who are both great actors and I do miss them now. As they’ve gone. But for the storyline, I think everybody in the village has nothing but benefits from their demise.”
Talking about being part of the modern slavery storyline, he added: “Just to say how much I’ve enjoyed the process. Although it’s been harrowing and it’s ongoing.
“But, just how honoured I am to work with such a great collaborative team. Everybody from the top to the bottom, has been nothing but supportive and brilliant at what they do. I’m very proud to be a part of it.”