Joshua Richards has opened up about missing co-stars as his character, Bear Wolf’s,modern slavery storyline is set to conclude

Joshua Richards has spoken candidly about “missing” two of his colleagues following their departure from Emmerdale.

In a recent instalment of the ITV soap, Joshua’s character, Bear Wolf, fell prey to modern slavery. After departing his residence, the former wrestler tragically became ensnared in a sinister operation run by Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and her son, Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).

On Tuesday (December 30), Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) and April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) devised a scheme to free Bear from the forced labour scheme at the farm.

Having themselves been victims of Ray and Celia’s drug ring and forced sex work, the youngsters were determined to ensure Bear’s safe return to his son, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), who had been anxious about his father’s location.

April managed to infiltrate the farm and attempted to persuade Bear to escape with her while he was mending the chicken coop, but Celia suddenly materialised, according to the Daily Star.

Joshua Richards has opned up about playing Bear Wolf in Emmerdale (Image: ITV)

As April escaped, Celia caught sight of her in the distance whilst Bear maintained he hadn’t communicated with the teenager. In a chilling twist, Celia instructed Ray to kill April and Bear.

Discussing the distressing slavery storyline and Celia and Ray receiving their just deserts after months of cruelty, Joshua revealed he now misses collaborating with his colleagues after delivering such a compelling narrative on-screen.

The actor said, “I think the viewers can’t wait for the feedback I’ve been getting from people in the streets and from family and friends.

“They can’t wait for them to get their comeuppance. And of course, I suppose we, as arbiters of what’s right and wrong on TV, ITV can feel justified in saying, yes, we can end this now, because the viewing public is fed up with these people and the terrible acts they are committing.

Emmerdale’s Celia and Ray have been running a modern slavery scheme (Image: ITV)

“But unfortunately, in society, you can’t do that, because they’re all pervading and they’re always there, hovering in the darkness.”

Reflecting on his time working alongside the villainous duo’s actors, Joshua remarked: “But I thoroughly enjoyed working with Joe Absolom and with Jaye Griffiths, who are both great actors, and I do miss them now. As they’ve gone. But for the storyline, I think everybody in the village has nothing but benefits from their demise.”

Discussing the significance of Bear Wolf’s modern slavery storyline, Joshua expressed his satisfaction at highlighting such a distressing issue for audiences.

He said, “I think the job that has been done by the producers, the writers, and the script editors has been outstanding.

FROM ITVSTRICT EMBARGO – No Use Before Tuesday 18th November 2025Emmerdale – Ep 10446Monday 24th November 2025Celia [JAYE GRIFFITHS] reveals the makeshift funeral to Bear Wolf [JOSHUA RICHARDS] and Ray [JOE ABSOLOM] in one of Butler’s fields. Initially put-out by the lack of formality, Bear is shocked to realise he and Ray are expected to dig Anya’s grave. A while later, with Anya now in her makeshift grave, Bear makes a speech. Celia watches on, devoid of emotion. Picture contact – [email protected] – Mark BruceThis photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms (Image: ITV)

Joshua Richards plays Bear Wolf in Emmerdale (Image: Getty Images)

“And to bring a story like this to the forefront, which was up for analysis and discussion, makes great sense to us as a general public about the kind of things which are happening under our noses in plain sight in modern Britain today.”

He continued: “Modern slavery is alive and well, and it’s horrifying. I think it was very brave for people to bring this subject forward, and I’m intensely proud of what we, as a team, have done.

“It was a huge collaboration, and this is a subject that most of the time is brushed under the carpet. But they brought it to the forefront of our minds.”

Emmerdale fans will need to watch to discover how Bear Wolf’s modern slavery storyline wraps up on the ITV programme.

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX