In a dramatic turn of events, Emmerdale is set to rewind time, offering viewers a crucial glimpse into the fateful day villain Ray Walters met his end. The special flashback episode, airing the week of January 16, 2026, promises to unravel the mystery of who killed the notorious criminal, with his poignant reaction to the death of Bear Wolf serving as a central, heartbreaking clue.
A Village's Violent Chapter Revisited
The episode returns to the period when Ray and his mother, Celia Daniels, terrorised the Dales with their modern slavery ring, prostitution, drug dealing, and money laundering schemes. By this point, Ray has already murdered his adopted mother, Celia, in a fit of rage. The narrative will meticulously chart the aftermath, leading to the moment Ray's own body is discovered in the back of Jai Sharma's van, a discovery that will send shockwaves through the community.
Despite his monstrous actions, Ray's character was occasionally shaded with glimpses of humanity. This was most evident in his decision to spare April Windsor's life, defying Celia's orders, and in the unexpectedly tender relationship he developed with Laurel Thomas. However, it was his connection with the vulnerable Bear Wolf that truly exposed a softer side.
The Bond That Broke a Killer
Bear, portrayed by Joshua Richards, became the unlikely key to Ray's conscience. Their relationship, warped by its master-slave origins, evolved into something resembling a father-son bond. In a definitive act of compassion, Ray broke protocol to rush Bear to hospital after a hand injury, a moment that solidified their complex connection.
The news of Bear's agonising death at Celia's hands was the catalyst for Ray's murder of his own mother. Her gleeful description of Bear's final moments finally pushed Ray over the edge. After killing Celia and meticulously cleaning the knife, Ray's plan to flee is interrupted by a devastating impulse.
A Moment of Shattering Grief
As he prepares to escape, Ray is drawn to where Bear's body lies. Upon seeing it, he is utterly broken, unable to bear the sight. In a rare show of pure emotion, Ray sheds a tear for the man he had grown fond of, a poignant crack in his hardened exterior.
This vulnerability is short-lived. Forcing himself back into 'work mode' to dispose of Celia's body, Ray's internal turmoil soon manifests as external cruelty. When he bumps into Paddy Kirk, he coldly delivers the news of his father's death before threatening Paddy's daughter, Eve, to ensure his silence. This chilling act reminds everyone that the old, menacing Ray is never far from the surface.
His reign of terror, however, was swiftly cut short. With Ray found dead and a village full of suspects—each with motive—the flashback episode is designed to piece together the final hours and point the finger at his killer. Could Paddy, reeling from Ray's callous announcement, have been driven to murder? The answers lie in the details of this emotional and violent day.
