Emmerdale actress Jaye Griffiths has reportedly completed filming her final scenes, bringing her six-month stint as the villainous Celia Daniels to a dramatic close. The news, broken by The Sun, signals the end for one of the soap's most sinister characters in recent memory.
A Reign of Terror in the Village
Jaye Griffiths joined the cast of the iconic ITV soap earlier this year, quickly establishing Celia as a formidable and deeply troubling presence. Arriving in the village as a new farmer, Celia's true nature was soon revealed, leaving a trail of fear and manipulation in her wake.
Her storylines have been described as some of the darkest ever tackled by the long-running series. One of her most shocking acts involved grooming teenager April Windsor into drug dealing and forcing her into other criminal activities for Celia and her adopted son, Ray. The plot took an even more harrowing turn when April was sold for sex, leading to a violent confrontation with a paedophile that left her believing she had committed murder.
Celia compounded the trauma by convincing April they had disposed of the body to protect her. Although April eventually confessed to her parents, Celia ruthlessly threatened them and forced them to watch as Ray attempted to murder April's boyfriend, Dylan, who has only recently emerged from a coma.
Secrets, Slavery, and a Shocking Burial
The character's crimes extended far beyond the manipulation of April. In a deeply disturbing subplot, it was revealed that Celia had been enslaving vulnerable people on her farm, forcing them to work for nothing while keeping them locked up.
One victim, Bear Wolf, was living under the noses of his own family, who believed he had started a new life in Ireland. In a tragic incident, Bear was forced to bury his friend Anya after Celia and Ray refused her medical treatment and let her die. In a calculated move to frame local farmer Moira Dingle, they wrapped Anya's body in a blanket taken from Moira and buried her on her land.
An Exit with Lasting Consequences
According to a show source, Jaye Griffiths always understood that a character of Celia's nature had a limited lifespan on the show. "Jaye has truly loved her time on Emmerdale but she knew when she signed up that a character like Celia had a limited shelf life," the source stated. "She must be seen to get her comeuppance and that’s what is going to happen – one way or another."
The insider added that while Celia's time in the village may be over, her impact will linger. "But while Celia might be done – her impact and secrets will run and run and continue to cause chaos long after she’s gone."
ITV has yet to officially comment on the reports, and the exact circumstances of Celia's departure—including whether she will face justice for her multitude of crimes—remain tightly under wraps. Fans will have to wait and see how her terrifying reign concludes in episodes scheduled to air in the coming months.
