SOAP SHOCK Huge Emmerdale character KILLED OFF ahead of Corriedale crossover in shock twist
EMMERDALE has sensationally killed off a huge villain in a whodunnit ahead of the Coronation Street crossover tonight.
The ITV soap dropped the bombshell in the first look airing of today’s episode that saw a body being dragged through the village.
The shocking scene saw villain Ray Walters’ body on a tarpaulin being dragged by the church – but who killed him?
Several characters were seen looking shifty with April Windsor, Rhona Goskirk, Marlon Dingle and Laurel Thomas all being put in the frame.
Viewers watched Ray kill his own adopted mother Celia Daniels on New Year’s Day so she is ruled out of the running, and she said she had killed Bear Wolf meaning he couldn’t have done it.
The twist comes ahead of tonight’s big crossover between Coronation Street dubbed Corriedale that is set to see further shocks.
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The Sun revealed last month how actor Joe Absolom had filmed his final scenes in November.
He had been central to the soap’s darkest ever storyline that saw Ray groom young April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) into drug dealing and sex work – but after finding love with vicar’s widow Lauren Thomas, there were hopes that Ray could be redeemed.
However Londoner Joe, 47, filmed his exit storyline in November.
An Emmerdale source said: “Bosses knew they only ever had Joe for a certain amount of time, but they’ve definitely made the most of having someone of his calibre in the village.
“He filmed his final scenes back in November.”
Joe shot to fame as Matthew Rose in EastEnders in the late 1990s alongside Martin Kemp.
Emmerdale shock as star hints she’s about to DIE
The pair were involved in the murder of Saskia Duncan. Since then he’s gone on to star in a string of dramas including, A Confession, The Bay and Doc Martin.
Joe’s character isn’t the only Emmerdale villain exiting over Christmas and New Year as his on-screen adoptive mother Celia, played by actress Jaye Griffiths, has also filmed her final scenes.
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 shelflife.
Emmerdale exits 2026
It’s only days in 2026 but Emmerdale has already aired three shocking exits – and two murders.
The ITV soap has seen actress Jaye Griffiths bow out as Celia Daniels when she was murdered by her own son Ray.
Next up came Chris Coghill as the enigmatic Kev who left the village after narrowly surviving serial killer John Sugden.
And now Ray Walters himself has been murdered, with actor Joe Absolom leaving the soap.
“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.”
The storyline has been branded the darkest soap storyline ever with its harrowing contents including grooming, drug dealing, sexual abuse and modern slavery.