Emmerdale Bear star speaks out as chilling mystery surrounding fan favourite is revealed
Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has spoken out after the whereabouts of his character was confirmed in a chilling end to Friday night's episode of the ITV soap
Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has spoken out after the whereabouts of his character was confirmed in a chilling episode on Friday night(Image: ITV)
Emmerdale star Joshua Richards has spoken out after the whereabouts of his character was confirmed in a chilling episode on Friday night. Fans of the ITV soap will know that Bear, the father of soap legend Paddy Dingle, has been away from Yorkshire village for months now, having last been seen when he drove off in his hire car over the summer following a dispute with their son.
Paddy and his wife Mandy (Lisa Riley) had been growing increasingly concerned about him, especially when he discovered that he had never made it to Ireland as intended, and the truth was finally revealed at the end of the latest episode of the Yorkshire-based serial, Mandy had tried reasoning that Bear had been ‘punishing’ his son after they parted on bad terms, but the reality couldn’t have been further away.
Towards the end of the episode, it became apparent that Anya, who Caleb Milligan found in his depot lorry recently, had fallen victim to evil mother-and-son duo Celia and Ray, who head up the local drugs empire. In the final scene, Anya was seen being dragged into a dirty house by Ray, and he locked the door.
Paddy has been growing increasingly worried about his dad’s whereabouts but his wife thinks it is all some act of revenge after they parted on bad terms
As she wept, a quiet voice from the corner could be heard trying to calm her down. It was Bear, and he recognised her instantly as he lowered his hood and she collapsed to the floor, distraught. The shock twist has come after bosses of the long-running soap decided to tackle the issue of modern slavery. The extent of what has happened to Ray will be explored as part of a special episode.
Joshua, who has played Bear since 2019, said: “It may surprise many people, but slavery is alive and well, indeed prospering in the modern world. Not only in obscure countries and cultures that we know little about, and not just the exploitation of migrants by criminal gangs of which some of us are aware.
“It is happening under our very own noses. The disadvantaged, dispossessed, those with mental health issues or disabilities, the old, lonely and vulnerable people that our society neglect are the perfect prey for grooming by unscrupulous criminal agencies.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be taking part in this to hopefully educate and highlight this abominable trade of human bondage.”
Bear has been missing for months and his fate was finally revealed at the end of Friday’s episode
Emmerdale has teamed up with The Salvation Army, working with the charity from the outset, ensuring the programme’s producers, writers and researchers have been authentically informed to assist with the portrayal of an elderly white man who quickly finds himself trapped.
Laura Shaw, Emmerdale producer, said: ““With our farming and rural backdrop we have an ideal setting, but it’s not all fluffy sheep and rolling landscapes. The countryside, just like an urban setting, can harbour the dark undercurrents of society.
“When Ray and Celia first came to Emmerdale it was clear that both characters were not to be trusted. We have seen their manipulation of April and Dylan, but this special stand alone episode featuring Bear ensnared in Modern Slavery, highlights the cruelty and control that these slave masters can exhibit. Bear is truly trapped in his situation and over a series of scenes you begin to understand a little more how this happened.”
Viewers will know that this is just the latest in Ray and Celia’s reign of terror on the Yorkshire village, having already coerced teenage April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) into selling drugs and trying to pass her off onto an older man, whom she m.u.r.d.e.r.e.d when he tried to take advantage.
Laura added: “I don’t think the audience will ever like the character of Ray, but hopefully there will be glimmers within this episode that make you realise he too is perhaps trapped in a world not of his making. We have been extremely grateful for the support we have received from The Salvation Army for Bear’s story, but also the interlinked county lines drug story that we have been telling with April and Dylan.
“The Salvation Army has given Emmerdale invaluable help with the portrayal of these shocking, yet prevalent situations in our society.”
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30 PM on ITV1 and STV, or from 7:00 AM on ITVX and STV Player.
