Copyright dailystar
Emmerdale fans fear that Laurel Thomas is set for a tragic exit after more than 20 years. Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) has been a staple on the show since her debut in 2002. And it’s fair to say she has since become one of the soap’s beloved characters. The character has also played a part in several big storylines. From addiction struggles to coping with husband Ashley's (John Middleton) vascular dementia and subsequent death, Laurel’s time in the Dales has not been short of drama. Especially at the moment, as Laurel has been growing close to newcomer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom). However, what Laurel doesn’t know is that Ray is a cunning and vile drug dealer. The villain, and his adoptive mum Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), have been grooming youngsters April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle). The pair have trapped April and Dylan in a dangerous world of crime, child prostitution and drugs. However, despite his fellow villagers not knowing his true colours, Ray has caught the eye of Laurel - and vice versa. In Thursday’s episode (November 6) Ray headed round to Laurel’s and got to know each other more. Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) then showed up and the afternoon turned into a double date. While alone with Marlon, Ray even admitted that he likes Laurel, and it was clear she was smitten. However, as he said his goodbyes, mum Celia rang him and demanded to know where he was. Ray lied and claimed he was out doing a job, not knowing that Celia was watching. Ray got into his car and then drove off, while a livid Celia looked on. But now, viewers can’t help but think that Celia could be set to try and kill Laurel as he grows close to her son Ray. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one person said: “Oh no Laurel needs to be careful. Celia won’t approve of her and Ray.” Another fan chimed in: “I can see Celia trying (or even killing) Laurel. No one is safe.” A third agreed: “Yeah Celia is going to do something to Laurel I’m sure.” Meanwhile talking about Ray and Laurel, actor Joe previously said: “I think when he meets Laurel, there's something that brings a side out to him that he didn't know he was going to have, but the writers did. I like it because it has a different side of it. It's more human. "I think he sees a family. Sees her with her kids and sees a family life that he never had because he was adopted very early on by Celia when he was eight.” Joe went on: “So we see in episodes later, not flashbacks, but little hints of what his life has been like. So I think to me, Laurel is this kind of woman who has a business and a family and children are kind of, you know, interesting.“ Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
