After being the subject of a horrifying modern-day slavery storyline, it has been confirmed that an Emmerdale legend has been killed in ‘harrowing’ scenes.
Bear Wolf, played by actor Joshua Richards, has been a staple in the village since 2019, but he’s now the latest victim of supervillain Celia Daniels.
In disturbing scenes, she attempts to take April’s life on Tuesday’s episode of the show as she murders Bear before gleefully telling her partner in crime Ray that he has finished the job with Bear, at least, in scenes set to air on New Year’s Day.
In a new interview with producers, Joshua explained that he spoke to the Salvation Army and met people who had found themselves in similar situations as part of his preparation for the role.
He warned viewers: ‘A lot of people say, well, I’d never be scanned, for instance, online. But so many people are and they are intelligent and bright.
‘And that is what we’ve got to be aware of in this modern-day society. That there are people out there who can show you a bit of kindness, and then they will exploit you for it, and it does happen, and it’s happening now…’
Bear Wolf, played by actor Joshua Richards, has been a staple in the village since 2019, but he’s now the latest victim of supervillain Celia Daniels
The actor described the soap’s treatment of the modern slavery storyline as ‘outstanding’ and issued a warning to viewers after meeting survivors as part of his preparation for the role
The actor described the soap’s treatment of the modern slavery storyline as ‘outstanding’.
He said: ‘Modern slavery is alive and well, and it’s horrifying. I think it was very brave for people for them to bring this subject forward and I’m intensely proud of what we, as a team, have done.
‘It was a huge collaboration and this is a subject that most of the time is brushed under the carpet. But they brought it to the forefront of our minds.’
When asked if it was Bear’s battle with depression that enabled him to fall victim to modern slavery, despite his physique, Joshua admitted that this likely was the case.
He said: ‘After talking to my sister in great depth, who’s been watching this storyline, it put her in mind of my late father, who, in his later years, actually did suffer a similar kind of depression.
‘I have seen this first hand, and I do know what can actually happen to somebody who, for all of their life, was a leader, and an intensely physically strong man, to be reduced to somebody who could be just shoved from pillar to post quite easily.’
However, the actor said that despite the desperate nature of Bear’s storyline, he believes that anyone who finds themselves in a similarly bad state of mind can recover with the right help – stressing ‘there’s always hope.’
Joshua concluded his interview by admitting that he ‘can’t wait’ for Celia and Ray to finally get their comeuppance.
When asked if it was Bear’s battle with depression that enabled him to fall victim to modern slavery, despite his physique, Joshua admitted that this likely was the case – he is pictured here after being forced to dig Anya’s grave
The actor’s comments come after it was revealed that actress Jaye Griffiths, 62, who plays Celia, has filmed her final scenes, leaving ‘chaos and secrets’ behind following her departure.
Her alter-ego has been involved in plenty of drama over the last few months, after turning up at the Dales as a farmer keen to rent farms in the area.
But Celia has been up to all manner of dastardly deeds behind the scenes, including county lines drug dealing, prostitution and modern-day slavery on her property.
Luckily for the residents of Emmerdale, she won’t be around for much longer as she has reportedly already filmed her final scenes, according to The Sun.
A source said: ‘Jaye has truly loved her time on Emmerdale but she knew when she signed up that a character like Celia had a limited shelf life.
‘She must be seen to get her comeuppance and that’s what is going to happen – one way or another. But while Celia might be done – her impact and secrets will run and run and continue to cause chaos long after she’s gone.’
Speaking to the media about her departure, Jaye said: ‘I knew it was finite, which I am very sad about, because I would like to stay forever, but it’s such a strong arc.’
The soap star hopes that her heartbreaking storylines will raise awareness and get people talking about such important topics.
She added: ‘Sometimes, when I read the script, I think, ‘really? You’re going to make me say that?’ Just when you think she’s gone quite far enough, they’ll make me go a bit further! So yes, it’s horrendous.
‘Hopefully, maybe conversations will start to be heard. Maybe every nail bar will be just… Maybe a question will run through people’s minds.
‘Maybe every car wash, I don’t know how, as just an ordinary person, when you go into a car wash, do you say to them, ‘do you have a passport?’
‘How do you navigate that? How do you as just an ordinary citizen help? I asked a police officer, and he said, ‘don’t know’.’
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
