Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Next week on Emmerdale, five special episodes take us back in time and resolve the show’s biggest unanswered question – who killed Ray Walters? The dramatic flashback week revisits the day of Ray’s murder from the perspective of the various suspects, with particular focus on Laurel, Rhona and Marlon.
Is one of this trio a secret killer? Or did someone else lash out at Ray and hide the body?
Read on for 11 major moments from the big week – and don’t forget to also check out our collection of 22 spoiler pictures.
1. Laurel refuses to forgive Ray
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Monday’s flashback episode (19 January) sees Laurel take centre stage, revisiting the aftermath of Dylan tipping her off over Ray’s crimes. Ray turns up at Mulberry Cottage and begs for another chance, but Laurel refuses to listen to him.
Not one to back down, Ray forces his way inside and urges Laurel to see that he was also a victim of Celia’s manipulation. Laurel stays strong and refuses to let him sway her.
2. Arthur threatens to take revenge
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When Ray fears that Laurel will turn him in to the police, he’s left begging for his freedom. Laurel ultimately decides to let him walk away, but she remains devastated that Ray wasn’t the man she thought he was.
Arthur witnesses his mum’s heartbreak and vows to make Ray pay for what he’s done.
3. Nicola makes a plan of her own
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Nicola suggests that Laurel should lure Ray into a trap after everything that’s happened.
Intrigued, Laurel considers this major risk to ensure that Ray is finally brought to justice.
4. Rhona gets a mysterious visitor
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Tuesday’s flashback episode (20 January) sees the focus shift to Rhona, reminding viewers of how she was in despair over April’s latest disappearance on the day that Ray was killed.
As an anxious Rhona is left home alone, a shadowy figure looms behind her – but who is it?
5. Marlon makes sinister plans
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In Wednesday’s flashback (21 January), it’s Marlon’s turn to look murderous as his own motives are explored. Marlon was also worried about April’s disappearance at the time, but did he kill Ray?
In ominous scenes, we see Marlon vow to get answers from Ray as he arms himself with a knife. But what happens after Marlon sets out to find Ray?
6. There’s a big twist involving Paddy
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Other flashbacks explore the aftermath of Ray killing his mum Celia. Covering his tracks, Ray wipes his fingerprints from the knife in Celia’s back. He also heads upstairs to see Bear one last time – rocked by Celia’s cruel boast that she has killed him.
Overwhelmed with grief for his father figure, Ray is barely able to look at Bear’s lifeless body before he heads out.
In the village, Paddy discovers the truth about Bear’s captivity and Ray breaks the terrible news of his death. Viewers had originally been led to believe that Paddy only discovered Bear’s ordeal after Ray had died, but these flashbacks show otherwise.
Has Paddy been slyly keeping quiet because he killed Ray after hearing the news? It’s never a good idea to expose your own motive in a soap whodunit, after all…
7. Paddy faces sinister threats
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With the truth out, Ray tries to secure Paddy’s silence in the only way he knows how.
Ray menacingly warns Paddy to back off, otherwise Dylan and Eve will both pay the price. With tempers rising, Paddy could be pushed to his limit…
8. April and Ross’s secrets are revealed
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Thursday’s episode (22 January) expands the mystery, bringing in other suspects who haven’t featured much so far.
These include April and Ross, as viewers continue to wonder what they’ve been hiding in recent weeks. Plus, why was Ross in possession of a gun around the time of Ray’s death?
9. Arthur makes an impulsive move
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Thursday’s episode also sees Arthur arrive home after snatching a red holdall from Ray.
Laurel’s shocked by Arthur’s risky antics, especially when she finds drugs inside.
10. Ray’s killer is revealed
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By the end of Thursday’s episode, viewers discover the culprit and witness the moment of murder!
Who killed Ray?
11. A creepy cover-up plays out
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One last flashback in Friday’s episode (23 January) shows the shocking aftermath of Ray’s death.
Someone faces the grim reality of moving a corpse – and chooses the back of Jai’s van as an easy place to store it for now. This backfires when Jai drives off with the vehicle, as we saw in Corriedale recently…
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
For exclusive soap star interviews, gossip, spoilers and theories every week, don’t miss the Soap Scoop podcast from Inside Soap magazine. This week’s episode features a chat with Coronation Street star Jacob Roberts, who plays Kit Green.