Emmerdale's executive producer, Laura Shaw, has delivered a devastating update on the fate of missing villager Bear Wolf, confirming fans' worst fears. The beloved character, played by Joshua Richards, was killed by the villainous Celia Daniels on the remote farm where he was held captive.
A Heartbreaking Confirmation for Paddy
Bear vanished from the Dales in the summer, with his son Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) believing he had gone to visit a friend in Ireland. The grim reality was far darker. After his plans fell through, a vulnerable Bear slept in his hire car before being found by Ray Walters (Joe Absolom). Ray took him to Celia Daniels' (Jaye Griffiths) farm, where he was manipulated into staying, believing the pair were helping lost souls. He even began using the name Ted.
In a tragic twist during the recent Corriedale special event, it was revealed that Celia ordered Ray to murder Bear. Although Ray turned on and killed Celia instead, he later discovered Bear's motionless body in the attic, leading him to believe his mother had carried out the deed. Laura Shaw has now confirmed this bleak truth to Metro.co.uk: 'While Paddy is still out searching for his missing father, the bleak truth is that Bear has been killed by the villainous Celia.'
Shaw added that this tragic discovery will plunge Paddy back into a mental health crisis, shattering him utterly as he grapples with the loss.
Major 2026 Spoilers and Returns Revealed
Shaw also unveiled a slate of explosive storylines set to rock the Yorkshire village in 2026. The mystery of Ray's murder will be solved in a special flashback week before the end of January, exposing villagers' secrets.
In a massive bombshell, it was confirmed that Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) is alive and will make a full-time, sensational return to Emmerdale. His comeback will have huge repercussions for Kim Tate (Claire King) and Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), as he explains what happened six years ago when he was presumed dead.
Other major plots include:
- Charity Dingle's (Emma Atkins) pregnancy lies unravelling around the time of the birth in spring, exposing that Ross, not Mackenzie, is the real father.
- Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) being at the centre of a major prostate cancer storyline spanning the year.
- Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) facing arrest for human trafficking, coinciding with Cain's diagnosis.
- The truth about John's death being exposed, with evil Joe Tate using video evidence to potentially seize control of Butler's Farm.
What Happens Next in the Dales?
With Bear's fate sealed, the focus will shift to Paddy's grief and the fallout from Ray's death. The return of Graham Foster promises to reopen old wounds for Kim and Rhona, while the Dingle family brace themselves for their most challenging year yet. As Laura Shaw's revelations confirm, 2026 is set to be a year of high emotion and shocking revelations in Emmerdale.
