Note: This article references child sexual abuse.
Emmerdale spoilers follow.
Emmerdale’s Bear Wolf will find an unlikely ally in Aaron Dingle next week, as he continues to blame himself for Ray Walters’s death. Aaron is reminded of his own traumatic history and tries to help Bear come to terms with his abuse.
In this week’s episodes, guilt-ridden Bear heads to the police station to confess to killing villain Ray. Adamant to protect his son Paddy Dingle and Dylan Penders, he insists he was alone during the incident.
However, Bear’s account leaves the police with more questions than answers as his story doesn’t quite add up. He is officially charged with manslaughter, and while his solicitor maintains that he acted in self-defence, Bear is determined to plead guilty – much to Paddy’s horror.
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In next week’s scenes, fragile Bear suddenly goes AWOL again as the pressure continues to mount. He is found by Aaron who manages to bring him home.
As the pair chat, Aaron gently alludes to his own experiences of abuse as a child, at the hands of his dad Gordon. His vulnerability encourages Bear to open up about being forced into slavery by Ray and Celia Daniels.
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Related: Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle receives tough police warning in ITVX episode
Sympathetic Aaron tries to help Bear understand that he was a victim and shouldn’t blame himself. But Bear is reluctant to listen as Aaron doesn’t know the full story about his ordeal.
Will he tell Aaron everything that happened with Ray?
“Aaron hasn’t had much to do with Bear’s story so far,” notes our Emmerdale source. “But he’s been aware of the situation from the sidelines and picks the best possible moment to step in.
“While Aaron and Bear’s experiences are very different, Aaron sees similarities in the way that abusers of all kinds can be manipulative. Could he be the confidant that Bear needs right now?”
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.
Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you’ve been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
Emmerdale is working on Bear’s storyline alongside The Salvation Army and Unseen. Further help, support and resources relating to the issue of modern slavery are available on the charities’ websites.