Earlier this year, Emmerdale producers confirmed some exciting news – that some of the cast will be heading to Belfast for a series of special episodes.
Enticingly, Laura Shaw and Kate Brooks also revealed that when they return to Emmerdale, they’ll be bringing an old face back with them. But who could it be?
New year, new weekly gossip!
EXCLUSIVE: Producers Laura Shaw and Kate Brooks discuss a special life changing trip… #Spectanuary #Emmerdale pic.twitter.com/LTFwTJTc6p
— Emmerdale (@emmerdale) January 3, 2019
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We can now reveal that the upcoming episodes filmed in Ireland will revolve around village vet Paddy Kirk and his quest to track down wrestler Bear Wolf.
Viewers know that Mandy Dingle recently returned to Emmerdale with some shocking news for ex-husband Paddy – that his real dad might in fact be the professional wrestler his mum was obsessed with when he was growing up.
After Mandy dropped the paternity bombshell, fans will soon see Paddy head to Ireland where he meets the man who he believes could be his biological father.
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Paddy will decide to attend a wrestling convention to confront the fighter to find out once and for all if they are in fact father and son.
Paddy’s quest to find out the truth will see some of the cast of Emmerdale leave the Dales for special scenes to be filmed in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.
Kate said of Bear Wolf actor Joshua Richards: “We are absolutely delighted to have an actor of Joshua’s calibre join our show. An actor of immense talent and charisma, he’s a brilliant addition to the Emmerdale team.
“It proves quite the adventure when Paddy and Marlon track Bear down in Belfast as Paddy’s life is turned upside down by boisterous Bear. However, Bear isn’t the only familiar face our villagers find in Belfast…”
Joshua Richards said: “I am delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Having been based in Yorkshire for most of my life, it’s fantastic to now be filming there too.
“Bear Wolf is a great character and I am looking forward to seeing what’s in store for him.”
Viewers will see Bear Wolf on their screens from mid-February.
Teasing the mysterious returnee to Emmerdale, the producers continued: “We can reveal that they’re going to bump into somebody who was in the village quite a while ago, who we’ve not seen for a while, and maybe that person’s going to be coming back to the village.”
Joe Tate, Adam Barton and Andy Sugden are all hotly tipped by fans.
Who would you most like to see return to the village? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!