Emmerdale villain returns in shock scenes as Bear Wolf faces life in prison

AN EMMERDALE villain is making a shock return to the Dales next week as Bear Wolf faces life in prison.

The former professional wrestler – who is played by actor Joshua Richards in the ITV soap – is in prison awaiting trial for murdering Ray Walters.

Viewers know Bear was groomed and imprisoned by Ray and his mother Celia as part of their sickening modern slavery racket.

He was held for months just yards from the village and forced to live in inhospitable conditions and work without pay for the twisted duo.

Bear strangled Ray to stop him from killing his son Paddy and ward Dylan at New Years.

And while Paddy and Dylan helped him cover up the crime, the ordeal put a huge strain on Bear.

When the police investigation began the lies told by Paddy and Bear left Bear in an even worse position.

With his guilt eating away at him, Bear somehow managed to confess to murder.

And then when he slipped up and admitted Ray told him he would take care of him – the police decided he was a co-conspirator.

Now Bear is facing life in prison for both murder and the modern slavery operation.

Next week things will take a turn when one of his fellow victims, Simo, re-emerges in the show.

Paddy begs him to testify on Bear’s behalf but he refuses.

With hope rapidly running out, will Paddy be able to make him change his mind?

Or will Simo turn on Bear and ensure he goes down for crimes he didn’t commit actually commit?