Bear Wolf remains trapped (Picture: ITV)
ITV soap Emmerdale has been hit with even more Ofcom complaints amid a plot that’s so far highlighted ordeals including drug dealing, sex work and modern day slavery.
Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) is currently running an operation that’s seen the likes of April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) deal drugs for her.
In an attempt to clear more of her debt, April accepted Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) suggestion of doing higher paid jobs, which involved interacting with older males who were sexually attracted to her.
The scenes that aired towards the end of October saw a man called Tim encourage April to drink alcohol and take cocaine. When he made it clear that he was expecting her to partake in sexual activities, she bolted and ran home. This development with April sparked 62 complaints to Ofcom.
The show is airing some incredibly powerful stories at the moment (Picture: ITV)
At the start of this month, another 60 complaints were made after viewers witnessed an abuser called Callum attempt to rape April.
Last week, 105 audience members contacted Ofcom to complain about scenes that aired as part of the arc with Celia and Ray, but did not involve April.
On Monday, November 10, a standalone episode aired that revealed what happened to Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) when he left the village in the summer.
Bear was lured into Celia’s dangerous world by Ray, who promised him a roof over his head in exchange for work on the farm. The old man, who was living out of his car prior to being found by Ray, was taken to Celia’s farm and made to live in a dark and dingy attic alongside other vulnerable adults.
Bear’s family are unaware that he’s living very close to the village (Picture: ITV)
Because Bear has been manipulated by Ray, he believes the life he’s living now as a slave will continue for the foreseeable.
It was these incredibly dark and harrowing scenes that saw viewers of the show contact Ofcom. While it’s been difficult to watch, it’s vital that Emmerdale doesn’t hold back when it comes to what they air as they tell April and Bear’s stories, as they need to ensure they correctly portray what so many people go through everyday.
Equally, showing the true horror assists in raising awareness and helping those in similar positions.
‘I think there’s a lot more to come,’ star Joshua Richards confirmed. ‘The seedy underbelly of this exploitative business will be peeled back for all to see.
‘It will be revealed in all of its vileness. I think it’s important that we’re not afraid to show these things and, as a continuing drama, I think we’re fortunate that we can highlight these things so that the public can be made aware.
Bear had been living out of his car before he was found by Ray (Picture: ITV)
‘It will be harrowing, but of course there’s always light at the end of every tunnel.’
‘It was quite a major thing’, Joshua added.
‘The enormity of it, because of the subject matter is quite poignant. I was quite fortunate in that we liaised with the Salvation Army and I was lucky enough to talk to somebody who’d actually experienced modern day slavery first hand, somebody who was actually an older gentleman with a PhD who had been manipulated and coerced by two individuals who’d exploited him horribly.
Bear was told by Ray that he could have a roof over his head if he worked on Celia’s farm (Picture: ITV)
‘I was amazed that this was someone who wasn’t gullible and was very intelligent and forthright who was duped. I was struck by his integrity and his dignity.
‘That gave me a great latch on to the subject, because I thought if it could happen to this guy it could happen quite easily to an older man who’s got somewhat depressed and not feeling valued, somebody who has basically lost the plot.
‘It’s easy to be manipulated. It was quite poignant really, but as an actor of course it was a great thing to do.
‘It was a lovely challenge. I treat anything like this, when it’s got meat on it, I relish it with joy.’
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