Emmerdale viewers were dealt a sickening blow during Friday's episode as evil farmer Celia Daniels unveiled her most twisted plan yet, convincing fans her reign of terror may soon be over.
A Reign of Terror Deepens
The villainous character, played by actress Jaye Griffiths, has been conning Moira Dingle and operating a modern slavery ring from her farm for months. Her crimes escalated when she coerced Bear Wolf into the operation and later recruited teenagers April Windsor and Dylan Penders.
This week, Moira discovered doctored invoices and confronted her supposed business partner, slapping her across the face in The Woolpack. The confrontation continued in the 19 December 2025 episode, with Cain Dingle by Moira's side. Celia tried to pay off Moira with a wad of cash, but her offer was refused.
The Chilling Kidnap Plan
As Moira and Cain left, Celia turned to her foster son, Ray Walters, and hinted at their escape, stating they would be "long gone" before anyone realised the depth of their mess. This referenced the body of a deceased slave buried on Moira's farm.
Ray, played by Joe Absolom, had been blackmailing Marlon Dingle, securing a £20,000 lump sum and a weekly £2,000 payment to keep April out of the drug trade. Unsure about fleeing, Ray was stunned when Celia coolly revealed her next move. She criticised his lack of imagination before outlining a plan to kidnap April and take her to Wrexham, creating "even more of an incentive" for Marlon to keep paying.
Fan Reaction and Impending Exit
Fans immediately took to social media to express their horror and predict Celia's downfall. One viewer wrote: "Said it months ago when the heat is on Celia packs up leaving devastation behind her." Another added: "So Celia is planning on kidnapping April..."
Many believe this could be the character's last evil deed. One fan speculated: "Having just watched tonight's Emmerdale something tells me that Ray and Celia are not going to make it to Wrexham!"
This speculation aligns with confirmation from actress Jaye Griffiths that she will be leaving the soap after a relatively short stay. Speaking about her exit, Griffiths said: "I knew it was finite, which I am very sad about, because I would like to stay forever, but it’s such a strong arc." She praised the Emmerdale team as "gentle and kind and professional and funny," but how her character departs remains a mystery.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
