Emmerdale fans have been left ‘sobbing’ after a special episode of the ITV soap which detailed what happened to Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards), who vanished without a trace earlier this year.
Bear left the village after a number of clashes with son Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt), who had become concerned about his dad’s behaviour.
Paddy was taken aback by Bear’s refusal to open up, with the former wrestler urging his son to stay out of his business.
Soon after, he departed the village, claiming he was going to visit a friend in Ireland. Paddy, however, subsequently received word that Bear never made it to Ireland, leaving him worried sick about his dad.
Bear’s whereabouts was the subject of much speculation, with fans eager to find out more.
All was revealed on screen during Monday’s (November 10) special episode of the ITV soap, which confirmed what happened to him in the wake of his departure.
In a storyline tackling modern slavery, Bear was taken in, groomed, put to work, injured and abused by what he thinks is the only life he can lead while feeling lost, lonely and useless.
One of the most common types of it is forced labour, where vulnerable victims are lured into situations with kindness and false promises, manipulated and groomed and then made to work for no pay, with no escape.
The soap has been working with The Salvation Army to aid with the research and development of the story all along the way.
Bear’s 100 day journey was explored in the episode and it’s safe to say it evoked quite a reaction from viewers.
Metro Soaps Reporter Maisie Spackman, for one, shared her reaction to the episode on TikTok, stating that the episode ‘made me cry’.
The video, which was reposted on Metro Soaps’ own TikTok, led to a response from fans, who felt similar about the emotional offering of the soap.
‘That was so so hard to watch,’ wrote user clw.111.x in response, adding that they were ‘Sobbing’.
Nik, meanwhile, said: ‘So sad hope they find bear soon’ while kimohanlonallen wrote: ‘I was like omg’.
Metro reader Jane shared their thoughts, writing: ‘I thought it was an excellent episode…. Just shows what goes on under our noses, they were all clearly vulnerable people who won’t be missed … sadly it goes on in real life… really sad.’
Peter heaped praise on Emmerdale, branding the episode a ‘good job’, stating that they were ‘glued to my seat’.
Discussing what’s to come, actor Joshua Richards told Metro: ‘I think there’s a lot more to come,’ he confirmed. ‘The seedy underbelly of this exploitative business will be peeled back for all to see.
‘‘It will be revealed in all of its vileness. I think it’s important that we’re not afraid to show these things and, as a continuing drama, I think we’re fortunate that we can highlight these things so that the public can be made aware.
‘It will be harrowing, but of course there’s always light at the end of every tunnel.’
Emmerdale airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 6am on ITVX and YouTube.
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