Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has spoken candidly about the intense and harrowing storyline facing his character, Bear Wolf, which has sparked fears of a dramatic exit from the ITV village. The actor's comments follow a chilling episode that aired on Tuesday, 31 December 2025, where villains Celia Daniels and Ray Walters plotted to make Bear and April Windsor 'disappear for good'.
A Chilling Threat Unfolds
In the latest tense instalment of the long-running soap, viewers watched as the sinister Celia Daniels, played by Jaye Griffiths, insisted to Ray Walters (Joe Absalom) that Bear Wolf had to be 'dealt with'. This came after weeks of Bear being hidden and exploited at the farm as part of the show's hard-hitting modern slavery plot. The danger was also extended to April Windsor, who now unknowingly holds knowledge that puts her life at risk.
Celia coldly informed Ray that both April and Bear knew too much. As Ray panicked, she warned him that time was up, declaring she would take care of Bear herself while instructing Ray to get rid of April. She then handed him a knife, cementing the grave peril facing the two villagers.
Pride in a Powerful Plot
Following the episode's broadcast, Joshua Richards shared his thoughts on the powerful narrative. He expressed immense pride in the work of the production team for bringing the subject of modern slavery to a prime-time audience. "I think the job that has been done by the producers, the writers and the script editors has been outstanding," Richards stated.
He emphasised the importance of the storyline's real-world relevance, saying, "To bring a story like this to the forefront... makes great sense to us as a general public about the kind of things which are happening under our noses in plain sight in modern Britain today. Modern slavery is alive and well, and it's horrifying." Richards praised the bravery of those who brought the sensitive subject forward, calling it a huge collaboration on a topic often brushed under the carpet.
Personal Connection and Hopes for Justice
The actor revealed a personal connection to Bear's plight, explaining how the storyline made him reflect on his late father's struggles. After discussions with his sister, he recalled how his father, a 'big strong man' all his life, faced feelings of redundancy and uselessness in his later years. "I could fully understand it," Richards said, noting how such vulnerability could be exploited by unscrupulous people.
Richards also praised his co-stars, Joe Absalom and Jaye Griffiths, while sharing the audience's desire for villainous comeuppance. "The viewers can't wait for them to get their comeuppance," he said, acknowledging that while justice can be served quickly in a soap opera, the reality in society is far more pervasive.
Emmerdale continues to air weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode every Thursday.
