A beloved Emmerdale character was left fighting for their life on Thursday night
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
21:15, 04 Dec 2025
Emmerdale has been fraught with tension since the arrival of villains Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) earlier this year.
Fans of the ITV soap will be aware that April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) has been reluctantly peddling drugs for the duo in a bid to settle her boyfriend Dylan Penders’ (Fred Kettle) debt.
It was later unveiled that Celia and Ray were also holding Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) hostage on their farm, along with several other captives.
This week, Dylan discovered Bear’s actual location after Celia attempted to enlist him to oversee the workers. The distressed youngster then informed April’s father, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), about his daughter’s predicament, urging him to involve the police.
In Thursday’s (December 4) hour-long episode, April finally confided in Marlon and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) about the difficulties she’s been grappling with under Celia and Ray’s control, reports the Daily Star.
April Windsor finally told her family about her struggles(Image: ITV)
Simultaneously, Dylan tried to persuade Ray that he was being manipulated by his wicked mother. He suggested that if they approached the police, Ray could reunite with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) and start afresh.
Ray seemed conflicted about turning to the authorities but eventually agreed to accompany Dylan to the police station. However, things weren’t as straightforward as they appeared.
Celia soon turned up at Smithy Cottage, where she received a distressing phone call. Her mobile displayed live footage of Ray striking Dylan with his car.
Ray Walters knocked Dylan Penders over with his car(Image: ITV)
“My sincerest condolences, April,” Ray said down the phone, with Celia ominously adding: “She was warned… Oh, the joy of live video calls.”
Is Dylan Penders dead in Emmerdale?
It appeared that someone had discovered Dylan collapsed on the ground, as it was subsequently revealed that he had been transported to Hotten General by ambulance.
At the hospital, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) explained, “He’s in surgery. [The doctors] said his injuries are bad and that he was lying there for a while. They’re just amazed that he’s made it this far.”
He continued: “They said to prepare ourselves, and that it’s not good.”
Celia Daniels issued Rhona Goskirk and Marlon Dingle a warning(Image: ITV)
Subsequently, Paddy and Mandy (Lisa Riley) informed April that Dylan had emerged from surgery, though remained in a coma owing to his critical state. They also confirmed that medics had discovered drugs in Dylan’s system.
“He’s still in intensive care, and they’ve told us it’s going to be a while,” Mandy continued.
With Dylan’s life currently hanging in the balance, ITV soap fans rapidly expressed their worries across social media platforms. One viewer posted on a Facebook fan page: “Poor, poor Dylan. I’m in bits here.”
Another commented, “Poor Dylan, I’ll be devastated if he dies,” whilst a third remarked, “Tonight’s Emmerdale is absolutely horrific. I was in tears the whole time. Dylan better not die.”
A fourth fan mirrored these feelings, stating: “The nightmare has truly begun. It actually gave me a panic attack. I feel like I’ve had enough. I hope Dylan will be okay.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX
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