In a stunning twist for Emmerdale fans, the villainous Celia Daniels, played by Jaye Griffiths, is set for a dramatic return to our screens. This comeback is particularly shocking given viewers witnessed her brutal death at the hands of her own son, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).
A Week of Revelations: Rewinding to the Murder
The iconic soap is preparing to air a special week of episodes that will rewind time to the fateful moments surrounding Ray's murder. Each episode, airing from January 12, 2026, will focus on a different suspect, offering fresh perspectives on the fortnight-long ordeal that culminated in the life-or-death confrontation.
This narrative device allows the supposedly deceased Celia to reappear in a series of flashbacks, shedding new light on the complex web of crime, manipulation, and family tragedy that defined her and Ray's story. The episodes promise to peel back layers of each character's involvement, exposing dark secrets and murderous intentions.
Suspects Under the Spotlight
The first episode will centre on Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy). Her budding romance with Ray turned to ash when his true, depraved nature was revealed. Last seen slamming a door in his face, Laurel was later shown alone and guilt-ridden, fiddling with an expensive bracelet he gave her. With Ray known for not taking rejection lightly, this episode will investigate if her guilt stems from something more sinister.
Episode two shifts focus to Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry). As a protective mother figure to April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan), Rhona was devastated to learn the teen had been ensnared in Ray's drug trafficking ring. Ray subsequently blackmailed Rhona and her husband Marlon for £2,000 a week to leave April alone. Rhona has a proven history of drastic action to protect loved ones, having once trapped her abusive ex-husband. This special episode may reveal a clue linking her to Ray's fate or even to the surprising return of Graham Foster.
The third perspective belongs to Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock). Consumed by fury over April's predicament, Marlon violently confronted Ray on the day he died. After being thrown to the ground, Ray coldly told Marlon his "little girl is gone" and threatened his life. This episode will explore whether Marlon's rage drove him to strike first.
The Truth About Celia's Final Moments
The climactic episode on Thursday will finally transport audiences back to the moment Celia died and the immediate aftermath. We will see Ray standing over his mother's body in shock before gathering himself. The action will follow him as he grabs a distinctive red sports bag and is drawn upstairs to Bear Wolf's room, wrestling with guilt over grooming Bear into forced labour.
Ultimately, these flashbacks aim to answer the burning question: who murdered Ray Walters? Celia's ghostly return from the grave through these memories is the key to unlocking the mystery, proving that even in death, her manipulative influence continues to ripple through the village.
