EMMERDALE has revealed the devastating truth about Bear Wolf’s disappearance in today’s episode.
The former professional wrestler – who is played by actor Joshua Richards in the soap – hasn’t been seen in the village for more than three months after clashing with son Paddy.
Bear Wolf has been suffering a horrific ordeal for months under the noses of his friends and familyCredit: ITV
Paddy and Moira are just yards away from where Bear has been enslavedCredit: ITV
Over summer Bear said he was leaving to move to Ireland to be with pals – but it soon emerged that this wasn’t true.
And in tonight’s episode it was confirmed that and has instead been enslaved by Ray and Celia in a harrowing ordeal on their dodgy farm.
The powerful episode spanned the full time period with Bear finding himself offered free lodgings by Ray, before soon realising that he was trapped and forced to work on the farm.
Bear was later injured and left in agony as Ray refused to take him to hospital, instead locking him up with the other enslaved people working on the farm.
And viewers saw Anya again, the modern slavery escapee who Ruby Fox-Miligan tried to help as Ray and Celia captured her and returned her to the dark room with Bear and the others.
In the closing moments of the episode Bear’s ordeal was laid bare as his son Paddy and pal Moira Dingle were just yards away from him without knowing where he was.
Joshua Richards, who plays Bear, said: “It may surprise many people, but slavery is alive & well, indeed prospering in the modern world.
“Not only in obscure countries and cultures that we know little about, and not just the exploitation of migrants by criminal gangs of which some of us are aware.
“It is happening under our very own noses. The disadvantaged, dispossessed, those with mental health issues or disabilities, the old, lonely and vulnerable people that our society neglect are the perfect prey for grooming by unscrupulous criminal agencies.
“I’m very excited and honoured to be taking part in this to hopefully educate and highlight this abominable trade of human bondage.”
Laura Shaw Producer said: “With our and rural backdrop we have an ideal setting, but it’s not all fluffy sheep and rolling landscapes.
“The countryside, just like an urban setting, can harbour the dark undercurrents of society. When Ray and Celia first came to Emmerdale it was clear that both characters were not to be trusted.
“We have seen their manipulation of April and Dylan, but this special stand alone episode featuring Bear ensnared in Modern Slavery, highlights the cruelty and control that these slave masters can exhibit.
“Bear is truly trapped in his situation and over a series of scenes you begin to understand a little more how this happened.”
She added: “I don’t think the audience will ever like the character of Ray, but hopefully there will be glimmers within this episode that make you realise he too is perhaps trapped in a world not of his making.
“We have been extremely grateful for the support we have received from The Salvation Army for Bear’s story, but also the interlinked county lines drug story that we have been telling with April and Dylan.
“The Salvation Army has given Emmerdale invaluable help with the portrayal of these shocking, yet prevalent situations in our society.”
