Ray Walters – once Celia Daniels’s “right-hand man” – is on the verge of collapse.

As Celia’s sinister plans are gradually exposed, Ray begins to panic and seek a way to escape.

But as is often the case in Emmerdale, escaping the shadows is never easy.

Celia discovers Ray has secretly copied data and communicated with Laurel Thomas.

In a tense scene, she leans close to Ray’s face and says coldly, “Do you think you’ll get away with this, Ray?” At that moment, viewers see that Ray is no longer the villain – but a brainwashed victim, exploited for years.

On Christmas Eve, Ray escapes Celia’s house carrying the USB drive containing all the evidence. He runs across the snow-covered Dales fields, while Celia sends people to chase after him. The film ends with Ray being hit by a truck, leaving a big question: did he manage to send the evidence to save Moira before he died?

Social media exploded with the hashtag #JusticeForRay, as viewers believed he was key to Celia’s downfall. Some theories suggest Ray is still alive and will return in early 2026 – with a new identity and a mission to expose Celia from the shadows.