Emmerdale boss Laura Shaw has confirmed Bear Wolf’s (Joshua Richards) fate.
Beloved Bear disappeared from the village in the summer. In Paddy Kirk’s (Dominic Brunt) eyes during this period, his dad was heading off to spend some time with a friend in Ireland.
The reality, however, was a lot darker.
Bear’s plans with his mate fell through but he departed Emmerdale anyways, convinced Paddy no longer wanted him around. He then slept out of his hire car for a bit, but was found by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).
Ray took Bear to Celia Daniels’ (Jaye Griffiths) farm and told him that in return for work, he’d give him a roof over his head along with food and water. Because Bear was so vulnerable when he arrived, it really felt like it was move to the farm, or continue sleeping in his car.
Bear – who referred to himself as Ted on the farm – was manipulated by Celia and Ray so much, he believed he was meant to be there. On a handful of occasions, Bear was faced with the prospect of leaving, but chose not to because he thought Celia and Ray were good people helping lost souls.
Just before Ray killed Celia, she told him to murder April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), and that she would do the same to Bear. Ray couldn’t go through with murdering April, but stabbed Celia in the stomach because he knew that he’d never be free from her if she was alive.
Ray then headed to the attic where Bear and the other slaves were being kept. All he saw were Bear’s feet on the bed, but the still body left Ray convinced his mother had murdered the man he thought of as a father figure.
Hours before Corriedale aired, Emmerdale viewers learnt that Ray had also been murdered. With Bear still unaccounted for, show boss Laura Shaw has confirmed to us what happens next:
‘While Paddy is still out searching for his missing father, the bleak truth is that Bear has been killed by the villainous Celia. This emotional search and tragic discovery will bring Paddy’s mental health problems back to the forefront.’
Revealing what will happen once Ray’s body is found, she added: ‘Following the discovery of Ray’s body, villagers’ secrets will come out as the mystery surrounding Ray’s death is finally solved. Before the end of January, a special week will flash back to the night of the murder, revealing which of the multiple suspects is responsible for Ray’s demise.’
In Corriedale, a massive twist aired that saw us discover Emmerdale’s Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) actually isn’t dead. He will eventually return to the village, causing problems for Kim and Joe Tate (Claire King and Ned Porteous).
Laura said: ‘A familiar face is returning to the village full-time! None other than Graham Foster will make a sensational comeback.
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‘His return will have massive repercussions for both Kim, with whom he shares a complex love and hate relationship, and Rhona, who was about to run away with him. Graham will explain exactly what happened six years ago when he was “killed”, but the question will be whether Joe can ever forgive his father-figure for allowing him to believe he was dead.’
The boss also confirmed that Charity Dingle’s (Emma Atkins) web of lies around her pregnancy won’t last much longer.
‘The truth surrounding Charity’s pregnancy is set to blow wide open. Mackenzie mistakenly believes he could be the baby’s father, but the secret that Ross is the real father is still under wraps. With the baby due in spring, the birth may be the event that finally exposes all of Charity’s secrets…’
As 2026 gets underway, there’s also more drama waiting for Cain and Moira Dingle (Jeff Hordley and Natalie J Robb).
Laura revealed more: ‘The Dingle family are set to face huge repercussions and Cain is at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning across 2026. Adding to their devastation, Moira will be arrested for human trafficking, with her arrest timed to coincide with her husband’s diagnosis. Their complex marriage will be tested as they face dark times.
She also added: ‘The truth about John’s death will be revealed, as Victoria’s clever deception, making John’s death look like suicide, will unravel.
‘Evil Joe Tate knows the truth and has damning video evidence which he plans to use to get what he wants from the Sugdens, potentially taking control of Butler’s Farm. Robert is also in the thick of it, trying to save Victoria by planting evidence…’
