In an explosive New Year's episode of Emmerdale, the village's most wicked resident finally met her end. Celia Daniels, the drug-dealing farmer portrayed by actress Jaye Griffiths, was stabbed to death by her own right-hand man, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), delivering the comeuppance many viewers had long awaited.
A Tragic End for a 'Blast' of a Role
Despite the character's heinous crimes, which included human trafficking, modern slavery, and forcing April Windsor into prostitution, actress Jaye Griffiths admits leaving the soap has been a deeply emotional experience. The 62-year-old, whose TV credits also include The Bill and Silent Witness, described her time on Emmerdale as "one of my best TV jobs ever."
"It has been very hard to face the reality of leaving," Griffiths confessed. "It took me ages to learn my lines for my final scenes because I was so resistant to it happening. I nearly cried, then I had to lie on the cold floor pretending to be dead."
She praised the collaborative and friendly atmosphere on set, stating, "Everybody wants to be there and you feel safe all the time. If you make a mistake, nobody comments." Her departure was marked with a leaving party in late November, where she "drank far too much red wine" and got to keep Celia's iconic stick and hat as mementos.
Why Celia 'Had to Be Killed Off'
Griffiths is pragmatic about her character's brutal demise, which aired on 1 January 2026. The final clash occurred when Ray, having fallen in love with Laurel Thomas and seeking a new life, refused to leave the village, leading to a furious confrontation.
"Oh gosh yes, she had to be killed off," the actress stated unequivocally. "Otherwise, she would have gone and done it to another family. There is no redemption for Celia unless she had a complete change of character."
She found playing the irredeemably nasty Celia "liberating," relishing the chance to portray a woman who was the antithesis of maternal, caring stereotypes. The role has been life-changing for Griffiths, who joined the soap in June of last year.
Life After the Dales: Advocacy and New Roles
Off-screen, Griffiths' portrayal has resonated deeply, partly due to her own personal experiences. In November, she broke down on ITV's Loose Women while revealing she was once a victim of domestic abuse, controlled by a partner for whom making tea "the wrong way" could have consequences.
Now happily married, she is using her platform to help others, planning to work with the charity Refuge and two other organisations. "I am glad I have opened up," she said. "This role has changed my life."
While relaxing at home in Hertfordshire over Christmas with her family and rescue dogs, Griffiths already has a new acting role lined up, though she remains tight-lipped due to non-disclosure agreements. She will, however, cherish her Emmerdale experience, where the shared dressing rooms and constant camaraderie created a "special place."
As for the fans? Griffiths chuckles that they get a "salacious pleasure" from meeting the real-life face of Celia. "They meet Celia when they meet me," she said, "and while they don’t like her, they also kind of adore her." And while viewers may cheer her character's downfall, Griffiths believes they will "slightly miss having someone irreplaceably bad" on their screens.
