![\"Ray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766401208_664_22_12_emm_laurel_ray_03-2d75.jpg\")
\n\t\tRay Walters wants a new life (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tRay Walters wants a new life (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n
Laurel Thomas<\/a> (Charlotte Bellamy<\/a>) is the sweetest person in Emmerdale. Maybe all of Yorkshire. We\u2019re talking about a woman who made her first appearance in the Dale dressed as a bumblebee. Pairing her up with a drug-dealing people-trafficker like Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) feels like a worse pairing than literally any couple from Love Island<\/a>.<\/p>\n To viewers\u2019 shock, Laurel has fallen head over heels for the smooth-talking criminal\u2019s charms. For a woman whose relationship history includes Ashley Thomas (John Middleton), Marlon Dingle<\/a> (Mark Charnock<\/a>) and Jai Sharma<\/a> (Chris Bisson<\/a>), Ray is definitely not her usual type. <\/p>\n Actress Charlotte Bellamy explains why Laurel is so smitten \u2018Ray is the most charming person and he totally has her hooked. So Christmas<\/a> is really sweet, because she has no expectations. And of course, he has never really had a proper Christmas. <\/p>\n \u2018So it is full of warmth and love and you know, twinkly lights and a Christmas tree. He\u2019s never had that. And of course, he\u2019s just walked into this huge hug of Mulberry Cottage. So it\u2019s a surprise for him as it is a surprise for Laurel.\u2019<\/p>\n To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web It\u2019s been a surprise for the audience too. Given how Ray makes his money exploiting and manipulating <\/a>vulnerable people, nobody ever expected him to have a softer side. But Laurel of all people has found it. <\/p>\n She gives Ray his first taste of warmth, happiness and stability, things that he has never received from his mother. <\/p>\n This genuine emotional connection has not only given Ray\u2019s character more depth, but given the story some juicy conflict that may jeopardise Celia\u2019s plans to flee the village before they are discovered.<\/a><\/p>\n Will Ray and Laurel get their happily ever after? Charlotte Bellamy is not optimistic. <\/p>\n \u2018Oh, my God, she\u2019s going to get heartbroken, but he\u2019s going to get his heart broken too. I think I\u2019m excited about them finding out and seeing the other side of the monster that they think is Ray. <\/p>\n \t\t \u2018That is the clever bit of this story. You hate his character because he\u2019s so awful, but then the more you find out about him, you realise that he is actually just a product of being groomed himself and that he has never seen any other way. And so suddenly this woman has opened up his heart and he\u2019s actually falling in love and he\u2019s never had that before.<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2018He\u2019s never had a problem in getting women, but he\u2019s never been emotionally involved or connected with them. And suddenly the goodness of Laurel is magnetic.\u2019<\/p>\n Whilst a future together may never be on the cards, Laurel has profoundly changed Ray. And with Celia\u2019s exit already announced, Emmerdale fans are wondering if he will finally find the strength to stand up to his mother. <\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tCan\u2019t wait for the next twist?\t\t\t<\/p>\n Hi, I\u2019m Calli Kitson, Soaps reporter at Metro.\u00a0I cover Emmerdale, EastEnders, Corrie and more.<\/p>\n If you want to stay up to date on the latest spoilers, sign up to\u00a0our daily Soaps Newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t From the big moments to the gossip you can\u2019t miss, it\u2019s all in your inbox every morning.\u00a0Sign up now<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is it possible that Ray will find redemption in his love for Lauren and turn over a new leaf? \u2018That\u2019s the dilemma, isn\u2019t it?\u2019 Charlotte Bellamy explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2018Because on one hand, you think it\u2019s not fair. (Ray\u2019s) a product of mental, physical and emotional abuse. Did he ever have a chance when he was groomed from such a young age? <\/p>\n \u2018But on the other hand, you think, is he redeemable? He wants to be a good man. He desperately wants to redeem himself, but Laurel really is his only chance.\u2019<\/p>\n Will he take it? Let\u2019s hope for a Christmas miracle\u2026<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Ray](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/04_12_emm_laurel_ray_01-15f0.jpg\")
\n\t\tLaurel has fallen for Ray (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"Laurel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766401210_401_17_12_emm_ray_laurel_celia_02-d6a9.jpg\")
\n\t\tCelia recently attempted to sabotage Ray\u2019s new relationship (Picture: ITV)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-08-28-144150-ba9c.png\")
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