The explosive Corriedale crossover event has left the village of Emmerdale reeling, with one burning question at its heart: who killed villain Ray Walters? ITV has now confirmed that the mystery will be solved in a special flashback week before the end of January.
The Murder Mystery Unfolds
Series producer Laura Shaw has promised that the discovery of Ray's body will expose villagers' deepest secrets. The criminal, played by Joe Absolom, was found dead in Jai Sharma's van during the one-off special that united Emmerdale and Coronation Street. His death followed months of manipulation, where Ray and his adopted mother Celia (Jaye Griffiths) exploited teens April and Dylan.
"Following the discovery of Ray’s body, villagers' secrets will come out as the mystery surrounding Ray’s death is finally solved," Shaw stated. "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."
Shock Returns and Major Fallout
The aftermath of Corriedale extends far beyond Ray's murder. In a stunning twist, Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) will return to the village full-time, despite being presumed murdered six years ago. His comeback will have "massive repercussions" for Kim Tate and Rhona Goskirk, and he must explain his long absence to Joe Tate, who believed him dead.
Meanwhile, the Dingle family faces immense turmoil. Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) will be at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning 2026. Adding to the devastation, his wife Moira will be arrested for human trafficking just as he receives his diagnosis, testing their complex marriage to its limits.
Other Explosive Storylines Revealed
The fallout from the crossover event will trigger several other major plots:
- John Sugden's Death: The truth about villain John Sugden's death will unravel. Victoria's clever deception, making it look like suicide, is at risk as evil Joe Tate possesses damning video evidence and plans to use it to control Butler's Farm.
- Bear Wolf's Fate: Before her own death, Celia admitted to killing Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards). Paddy Kirk's emotional search for his missing father will lead to a tragic discovery, bringing his mental health struggles back to the forefront.
- Charity's Secret Pregnancy: Charity Dingle agreed to be a surrogate for granddaughter Sarah Sugden. However, she is pregnant with Ross Barton's baby, a secret kept from Sarah and from Mackenzie, who mistakenly believes he could be the father. The birth in spring threatens to expose everything.
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
