Ding dong, the witch is dead. Sooner or later, Emmerdale’s evilest farmer Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) had to get her just desserts. The fact it’s served up by her own son Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) makes it all the sweeter.

It’s the mother of all plot-twists (pun intended). Until now, Ray has been the loyal second-in-command of his adoptive mum’s shadowy criminal empire. He has participated in the exploitation of vulnerable people into modern slavery, including the formidable Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards), and forced troubled teenagers like April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and her boyfriend Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) into county lines drug trafficking.

But the little torch Ray’s been carrying for village sweetheart Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) has caused the ruthless drug dealer to develop something close to a conscience.

Suddenly, he’s starting to dream of a better life – which goes down like a lead balloon with the scariest woman in the Dales.

After refusing Celia’s orders to kill April on New Years’ Eve, Ray had a furious confrontation with his mother which ended in him getting a good old-fashioned soap slap, as well viciously raking up his troubled childhood that left him a shaking, sobbing wreck.

Then when Celia tried to walk back her abuse with a hug, Ray responded by driving a knife into her chest in horrifying scenes. Celia’s last words? ‘I’m so proud of you.’

We’d expect nothing less.

But as we’re still picking our jaws up off the floor, Emmerdale have revealed that another character in this story will soon be departing the dales in shocking circumstances. But who, I hear you cry? Read on…

First of all, April is a distinct possibility. I know, I know. Killing off the poor girl after surviving such a horrific ordeal would be starting 2026 on somewhat of a downer.

But she doesn’t have to die.

On New Year’s Eve, Ray paid April a fat stack of notes to run far away where Celia could never find her. Even with Celia dead, April’s nightmare might not be over. Ray’s never been the type to take accountability for his own mistakes. Perhaps he blames her for driving him to killing his mother. Or perhaps all the trauma she’s endured in the Dales have made her want to start a better life elsewhere with Ray’s ill-gotten gains. Honestly, who could blame her?

With her whole family having been threatened, could they all be set to put the village out of sight and out of mind in the interest of staying alive?

There’s also Dylan, who has faced more than his fair share of trauma throughout this ordeal. Could he be set to blame himself for not being able to save Bear? Would this drive him away from the village and encourage him to start a new life somewhere else?

Finally, the shock departure could be none other than Ray himself.

He’s just murdered his mother. The police are closing in. The one thing he’s got to stay in the village for is Laurel, and surely it’s only a matter of time before she finds out where all his money comes from? There’s not a soul south of Hotten more forgiving than Laurel Thomas, but even she has limits. Assuming somehow Ray doesn’t get away with his crimes and stays in the village to earn his redemption, this leaves us with a handful of options.

Are we seeing the last of Ray? (Picture: Mark Bruce/ITV)
Option one – Ray goes to prison. Celia has recently threatened her son with prison time to keep him in line and sneered that he wouldn’t last a day inside. After everything Ray’s done and everyone he’s hurt, Celia’s grim prediction might be the best option to satisfy both Emmerdale villagers and fans alike.

Option two – Ray is killed out of revenge. Dylan would be first in line. Now April has fled the village, he would no doubt blame Ray and seek to punish him for driving away the love of his life. That goes double for Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry).

Ray’s been extorting two thousand pounds a week from them in return for leaving April alone. If they discover that Ray came dangerously close to killing their daughter, they might just return the favour.

Then there’s sweet little Laurel… who might not be so sweet anymore if she discovers the truth about her new beau. How far would Laurel go to protect herself and her children?

Option three – Ray does a runner. Possibly into the sunset to pursue a normal life, or maybe to start again in pastures new, like he planned with Celia. We know Corriedale will include a woman tied up in the back of a van accompanied by a mysterious man. What if that mysterious man is Ray back to his old tricks?