Emmerdale Star Dominic Brunt Addresses Fan Backlash Over Ray Walters Exit
Emmerdale legend Dominic Brunt, who portrays the beloved character Paddy Dingle on the long-running ITV soap, has broken his silence in an exclusive interview regarding the recent controversial exit of villain Ray Walters. The actor has shared his candid thoughts on the brutal storyline conclusion that has divided viewers, offering a robust defence of the show's creative decisions.
Defending the Dark Narrative Choices
Speaking exclusively about the dramatic whodunnit that saw Ray Walters killed off earlier this month, Brunt explained the moral imperative behind the character's demise. Flashbacks revealed that Paddy's father, Bear Wolf, was responsible for the killing, with Paddy and teenager Dylan Penders now embroiled in covering up the crime. The actor emphasised that despite the character's complexity, certain actions cannot go unpunished within the soap's narrative framework.
"Soaps serve as a moral compass," Brunt stated unequivocally. "You simply cannot have somebody murdering or engaging in human trafficking without consequences. As much as we gave Ray human edges, like his love story with Laurel, you cannot let people get away with that."
Addressing Divided Fan Reactions
The interview comes after significant fan debate about whether Ray Walters should have faced prison time or received a redemption arc rather than meeting a violent end. Some viewers expressed disappointment that his death coincided with two other villain exits, while others believed it was the only appropriate conclusion given his crimes in the modern slavery storyline.
Brunt acknowledged the divided opinions but stood firm in his support for the creative team's decision. "We have a moral standard and duty to end stories like this correctly," he explained. "Ray was a fascinating, three-dimensional character with a complex backstory, but certain actions demand particular consequences within our storytelling."
Praise for Cast and Creative Direction
The actor was effusive in his praise for co-star Joe Absolom, who portrayed Ray Walters, describing him as "a brilliant actor who played the role exceptionally well." He expressed similar admiration for Jaye Griffiths, who played Celia, noting that while the cast were sad to see both actors leave, the narrative demands took precedence.
Brunt also expressed delight about the return of co-star Andrew Scarborough as Graham Foster, despite finding the explanation for his character's resurrection amusing. "When he says they learned techniques to slow breathing down, I thought that was really clever," he chuckled, referencing how the show explained Graham faking his death in 2020.
Exciting Developments Ahead for Emmerdale
Looking to the future, Brunt revealed that the writing team are "buzzing their heads off" about upcoming storylines. He described a shift toward more self-contained narratives lasting between one to three months, involving fewer characters at any given time but ensuring all cast members feature throughout the year.
"The writers keep telling me there's some fantastic stuff coming up," he shared enthusiastically. "They're absolutely over the moon about these tailor-made stories that allow for deeper character development and more focused plotting."
Emmerdale continues to air weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with Brunt promising plenty more shocks and surprises in the months ahead as the Yorkshire-based drama maintains its position as one of British television's most talked-about soaps.
