Actor Joshua Richards once starred alongside Brad Pitt before arriving in the Dales as Bear Wolf.
Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
14:52, 10 Nov 2025
A special standalone episode delves into Bear Wolf’s harrowing plot
Bear Wolf arrived in the Dales back in 2019 as Paddy Kirk’s long-lost father. The former wrestler has a heart of gold and has cemented his place in the hearts of Emmerdale viewers.
However, the much-loved character, played by Joshua Richards, has been missing from the village after he was spotted three months ago, driving off in his rental car.
However, recent episodes have revealed that Bear isn’t safe in Ireland as his son, Paddy Kirk, portrayed by Dominic Brunt, initially believed. Worried Paddy is yet to discover his dad is a victim of modern slavery.
On Monday (November 10), Emmerdale aired a special episode following the plight of missing Bear Wolf, as viewers discover where he has been for the last 100 days.
Emmerdale has revealed the dark fate of Bear Wolf, and it’s down to Ray and Celia READ MORE: Where is Bear in Emmerdale? ITV soap finally end mystery and fans will be heartbrokenREAD MORE: Emmerdale hit with Ofcom complaints as viewers threaten to boycott
Over the past few months, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and his adoptive mum Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) have been exploiting teenagers April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle).
They have been manipulated into paying off a never-ending debt after losing a stash of drugs, with April having also been dragged into the dark world of sexual exploitation.
But Monday’s heartbreaking episode begins to explain the true depth of Ray and Celia’s cruelty, as the ITV soap tackles the important topic of modern slavery.
Joshua Richards has spoken out about his harrowing Emmerdale storyline (Image: Getty Images)
Discussing the upcoming plot, Joshua shared his thoughts on the new storyline involving modern slavery, saying: “Well, I found it a bit disconcerting really. I found it a bit frightening and also what experience do I have to bring to the table.”
He added: “So it was a bit discombobulating at first because I thought it could be interesting because of course Bear has been experiencing this kind of depression and confusion.
“So maybe it’s a great thing to find him so vulnerable, a big, strong man being vulnerable and being exploited.
“As an actor, you just think lovely, lovely, jubbly, jubbly and rub my hands together and then pull my sleeves up to get stuck in.”
Joshua Richards arrived on Emmerdale back in 2019
How old is Emmerdale star Joshua Richards?
Although Bear is now settled in the village, not much is known about his past other than that he had an affair with Paddy’s mother in the 1960s.
The character is thought to have been born in 1945, making him 80 years old.
However, away from the soap, Joshua is reportedly around 65 years old, reports Emmerdale Insider.
One year before Joshua got his role in Emmerdale, his mum, Jean, sadly passed away at the age of 80. As she was a big soap fan, her death left Joshua sad that she never got to see him on-screen.
Emmerdale’s Bear Wolf actor Joshua Richards has spoken out about his devatstaing soap plot (Image: ITV)
He told The Mirror: “My mum Jean was an ardent fan. We watched it when it was Emmerdale Farm, and she would have been over the moon that I was doing it.
“But we lost her last year. It’s really sad that she couldn’t be around to watch me in it.
“She didn’t know I got the part. I just thought, ‘If only my mum was here to see this’.”
What else has Joshua Richards starred in?
Joshua plays Paddy’s father Bear Wolf on Emmerdale
Although Emmerdale marked Joshua’s debut in a soap opera, the accomplished actor boasts an impressive portfolio – having begun his career with the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving into numerous Hollywood productions.
Before joining Emmerdale, Joshua appeared alongside Brad Pitt in the 2004 epic Troy and starred with Hugh Grant in Amazon Prime’s A Very English Scandal.
Yet it’s his appearance in the beloved 1990s series Heartbeat that has sparked considerable discussion among viewers. Joshua portrayed DI Haggarty in the ITV programme for several months during 1999.
Joshua has also starred in a list of other television shows and movies, including Downton Abbey, King Arthur: Excalibur Rising, The Adventures of Robin Hood, A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day, and Panic Button.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX
