Emmerdale aired a worrying twist involving Dylan Penders on Thursday night
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
21:00, 04 Dec 2025
It’s been a troubling time in Emmerdale since villains Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) first made their entrance.
ITV soap fans will know that April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) has been reluctantly dealing drugs for the pair in an attempt to pay off her boyfriend Dylan Penders’ (Fred Kettle) debt.
It was soon revealed that Celia and Ray were also keeping Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) captive on their farm, alongside several other slaves.
Dylan realised Bear’s true whereabouts this week, after Celia tried to recruit him to manage the workers. The panicked youngster then told April’s dad, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), about the trouble that his daughter was in, urging him to go to the police.
During Thursday’s (December 4) hour-long episode, April finally opened up to Marlon and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) about the struggles she has recently faced, while under Celia and Ray’s command.
April Windsor has finally told her family about her struggles(Image: ITV)READ MORE: Emmerdale icon left ‘fighting for her life’ as villager admits to murderREAD MORE: Emmerdale legend ‘fuming’ to be snubbed from Corriedale after 28 years on soap
Meanwhile, Dylan tried to convince Ray that he was being exploited by his evil mother. The youngster said that if they went to the police, Ray could be with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) and start his life again.
Ray seemed to wrestle with the idea of going to the authorities, but eventually agreed to drive to the police station with Dylan. But not all was as it seemed.
Celia soon arrived at Smithy Cottage, where she received a devastating phone call. Her mobile soon showed live footage of Ray knocking Dylan over with his car.
Ray Walters ran Dylan Penders over with his car(Image: ITV)
“My sincerest condolences, April,” Ray said down the phone, with Celia ominously adding: “She was warned… Oh, the joy of live video calls.”
Is Dylan Penders dead in Emmerdale?
It seemed as though someone had found Dylan lying on the ground, as it was later revealed that he had been rushed to Hotten General in an ambulance.
At the hospital, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) said, “He’s in surgery. [The doctors] said his injuries are bad and that he was lying there for a while. They’re just amazed that he’s made it this far.”
He added: “They said to prepare ourselves, and that it’s not good.”
Celia Daniels threatened Rhona Goskirk and Marlon Dingle(Image: ITV)
Later, Paddy and Mandy (Lisa Riley) told April that Dylan was out of surgery, but was in a coma due to his critical condition. They also confirmed that doctors had found drugs in Dylan’s system.
“He’s still in intensive care, and they’ve told us it’s going to be a while,” Mandy added.
As Dylan’s fate remains currently unknown, ITV soap fans quickly shared their concerns on social media. One person wrote on a Facebook fan page: “Poor, poor Dylan. I’m in bits here.”
Another added, “Poor Dylan, I’ll be devastated if he dies,” while a third said, “Tonight’s Emmerdale is absolutely horrific. I was in tears the whole time. Dylan better not die.”
A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: “The nightmare has truly begun. It actually gave me a panic attack. I feel like I’ve had enough. I hope Dylan will be okay.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX
More information about modern slavery and forced labour can be found via The Salvation Army and the UK government website
