Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley told us what’s ahead amid a mystery storyline for Bear on the ITV soap, hinting at huge and unexpected twists as the character vanishes

Emmerdale is airing a mystery storyline for Bear on the ITV soap as the character vanishes(Image: ITV)

Actress Lisa Riley has hinted at worrying and huge Emmerdale scenes ahead, concerning the new storyline with Bear.

Lisa’s character Mandy Dingle will be left concerned for her father-in-law Bear, with her and her husband Paddy Kirk, Bear’s son, already confused by his recent behaviour. As the concern grows and a clash occurs between father and son, Bear ends up leaving the village and going completely AWOL.

It’s been revealed to The Mirror that the character, played by actor Joshua Richards, will be offscreen for “a month of two”. The character then suddenly returns, and when he does it’s noticeable that something is very different.

With it thought that Paddy could “miss the signs” about what is going on with his dad amid his past experiences with depression, it’s not being confirmed just yet what exactly is going on with Bear. It’s clear he’s in turmoil, while he’s been having mood swings and displaying other worrying behaviour.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, actress Lisa has hinted when it does come out what is going on fans might be shocked. She teased unexpected scenes ahead with her reaction to the fact that fans currently have no idea what is wrong with Bear.

Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley told us what’s ahead amid a mystery storyline for Bear(Image: ITV)

She told us: “It is better that you don’t know what’s gonna happen with Bear. It’s so…” She then made a noise and pulled a face that suggested the story could come as a shock to fans, while she gave nothing away.

While she didn’t want to go too much into detail, her reaction did hint that whatever happens will be big and possibly won’t be guessed by viewers. As we asked her about how Mandy will react when Bear returns, Lisa said her concern would be more aimed at Paddy.

Giving nothing away, she teased: “He disappears and then he comes back. But she’s really conscious of Paddy so she’s looking after Paddy’s point of view… without giving too much away. She’ll be looking after Paddy.”

Whether this means Paddy’s hurt over his dad’s abrupt exit and him being gone for so long, or the impact it has on Paddy, she did not say. But it’s clear there are huge things ahead for the trio, and that Bear’s plot is going to have a lasting impact.

Speaking recently to The Mirror about the plot, actor Joshua teased what was ahead. He told us: “I’m not really sure the true nature of exactly what is going on, but there is a change there. I never saw sort of a more stripped-back Bear, emotionally through the ringer.

Actress Lisa Riley has hinted at worrying and huge Emmerdale scenes ahead(Image: ITV)

“So I think there’s something big coming up for him, which I’m really looking forward to.” He went on: “He alters somewhat. He’s not too good for some reason, which we don’t know why. So he’s been slightly erratic emotionally and with his moods.

“There are mood swings coming up for him, periods of forgetfulness, and maybe the kind of things that happened with a man of his age.” On how the storyline will impact Paddy, he teased: “Paddy will feel guilty, because this is his father’s experience in this and it’s right next to him, and he can’t see it.

“He can’t put his finger on it even though he’s experienced it himself. That’s one part of the storyline that will be going on is that somewhere down the line, he’ll have to realise that he missed it. That’ll be an important part of Paddy’s storyline as well.”