In an exclusive revelation, Emmerdale actor Joe Absolom has confessed to mixed feelings about agreeing to his character's dramatic exit, as the soap prepares to unmask the murderer of the villainous Ray Walters in a special week of episodes.
The End of Ray Walters: A 'Whodunnit' Week Unfolds
Starting tomorrow, a gripping series of 'whodunnit' episodes will use flashbacks to finally reveal who killed the hated Ray Walters. The character, played by Joe Absolom, wreaked havoc in the Dales, leaving a trail of devastation that made him a target for many. The main suspects include Laurel Thomas, Rhona Goskirk, and Marlon Dingle, with Dylan and Ross Barton also in the frame.
Absolom, 47, admitted to a tinge of regret about his departure. "I've started to think 'why did I say kill me off?'" he said. "That said, Ray had to get his comeuppance. I think the audience is happy. He couldn't stay in the soap. There has to be a moving on but, as an actor, I have loved it and I could easily stay forever."
An Actor's Blues and a Promise of a 'Great Twist'
The actor, known for roles in EastEnders and Doc Martin, described getting "the blues" about leaving the ITV soap, calling it a compliment to the show's positive working environment. However, he teased viewers about the upcoming revelation, promising a satisfying conclusion. "It is a great twist and it is very fitting," Absolom revealed. "He is not a popular guy and it could be one of many characters who murdered him." He confirmed the killer's character will remain in Emmerdale, whether found guilty or not.
Reflecting on playing such a calculating villain—who bullied Dylan into selling drugs, imprisoned Bear, and lied to Laurel—Absolom said he relished the challenge. "I've loved playing Ray and it's been nice when people have come up to me to tell me they didn't like him. It means I've hopefully got it right," he shared, adding he prefers playing "horrible characters."
Life After Emmerdale and Soap Respect
Absolom paid tribute to the demanding pace and talented team at Emmerdale, dismissing any snobbery about soap work. "Filming is really difficult. They often have to do 25 pages of scripts... It's an exhausting process, but everyone working on the soap is phenomenal," he stated. He formed strong bonds with co-stars Charlotte Bellamy (Laurel), Mark Charnock (Marlon), and Fred Kettle (Dylan).
Now facing the actor's perennial fear of "what is next," Absolom spent Christmas in Cornwall with his three children after filming his exit pre-Christmas. He is already attending auditions and expressed a desire to play a detective next. "I would like to be a detective - asking the questions and looking for people. They've often got a dark side too," he mused.
As for Ray's ultimate fate, Absolom hinted at his character's bloody comeuppance, referencing the murder of Celia. "It's a great ending," he concluded, leaving fans to await the final reveal.
Ray's murderer will be exposed on Thursday 22nd January at 8pm on ITV1 and STV1. Episodes can be downloaded on ITVX.
