Emmerdale fans have been quick to heap praise after pointing out the 'real star' of the soap's latest episode. The ITV favourite was back on-screens on Thursday night for its usual hour-long special.
The latest trip to the Dales featured shock scenes as Billy Fletcher was subject to a horrific racist attack. Fans were horrified with how things ended after Billy's wife, Dawn Taylor, encouraged him to go out for drinks in town with his father-in-law, Will Taylor.
Later, as Dawn sat down to enjoy a drink with her dad's partner, Kim Tate, she received a message that her husband was in hospital and rushed to be with him. Seeing his injuries, Dawn demanded to know what happened and a broken Billy revealed that he had been racially attacked. Meanwhile, Ethan Anderson was defending the attacker at the police station.
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Elsewhere in the episode, there were more heart-warming moments as it was revealed that Bear Wolf has secretly been paying visits to Marlon Dingle while he was in hospital after suffering a stroke.
Emmerdale viewers saw Marlon trying to ask his mother-in-law-to-be Mary about Bear's whereabouts but got confused and went on the hunt for a teddy. Eventually, she realised what her future son-in-law meant and went to summon Bear at the pub. Son Paddy Dingle, however, was confused when Bear handed over a pile of papers to Mary and revealed the pair have been completely the crosswords and he had chosen the ones 'to his level'.
While Paddy was a bit take aback, Rhona and Mary were thrilled to see Bear keeping Matlon company. Later, as Paddy quizzed his dad, Bear told him that them doing crosswords together helps him with his reading and Marlon with his speech. Still not satisfied, the vet pushed further and received a sad admission from his dad.
When Paddy pointed out that the pair could have made the trips to the hospital together as he struggled to visit his best friend, Bear said that Paddy’s avoidance tactics at the time were part of the problem before revealing his visits were also due to his own loneliness.
Following the scenes, Emmerdale fans rushed to social media to heap praise on Bear actor Joshua Richards. @rubyrache tweeted: "Underneath all that silly drama (drugs, beatings and killings), you get the most loveliest scene of lonely Bear visiting Marlon to sit and do the crosswords with him. I admit I teared up #Emmerdale."
@salhypes went so far to say: "Bear Wolf is a better character than Zak Dingle ever was. There, I said it. He’s not overbearing in the slightest. He’s got a heart as big as his beard. #Emmerdale."
"And the star of tonight’s episode was Bear sharing the crossword with Marlon what a Moment of happiness to see Marlon smiling," Joyce Barlow shared on Facebook.
Matt Randall commented: "Was an absolute pleasure to see Bear helping out Marlon with his recovery through the power of crosswords and also helping himself too. Really hope they become good friends after this."
And they also think romance could be on the cards with Derek Ogilvie writing: "Best bit was Bear and Marlon doing the crossword and think Rhona's mum has her eye on Bear lol."
"I think love is going to be in the air for Rhona's Mum, Mary & Bear. I saw the way she looked impressed with Bear in the pub and after he'd been to see Marlon. Think it will start with their love of crosswords. Bear did admit he was lonely, and Mary is too! You heard it here 1st folks, watch this space!" Janet Ellis Porter echoed.
