In an early Emmerdale episode released on ITVX, the dangerous drug dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) confirmed his next target: April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan).

Ray first appeared when Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) tried to negotiate a deal involving marijuana plants that Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) had grown. Although there was tension between Lewis and Ross Barton (Michael Parr) about selling to Ray, things took a darker turn when Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) sold the marijuana to Ray, leading to a series of dangerous events.

Ray’s character is gradually being revealed through his manipulative actions involving young people, pulling them into illegal activities. Recently, Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle), who returned to the village, was shown to have connections with Ray. Although Dylan claimed to have turned his life around after rehab, the truth was that he was still involved in drug deliveries for money.

Dylan tried to present himself as focused on making a better life with April, but he continued to receive money from Ray for previous jobs. When Dylan lied to April about where he was going, he eventually met up with Ray to ask for some time off. He explained that he was living with a local vet and wanted to spend more time with April. Ray pretended to be understanding and agreed, handing Dylan some cash from the previous job.

This interaction indicates that Dylan is still trapped in Ray’s grip, even as he tries to distance himself from the dangerous world Ray has pulled him into. Now, Ray has set his sights on April, which could drag her into his criminal activities. April, unknowingly, may find herself caught in Ray’s web, causing more tension between her and Dylan.

Ray’s growing influence over Dylan and his new focus on April only heightens the danger for both characters. With Dylan still working for Ray, and now April potentially becoming a target, things are looking grim. The fact that Ray continues to control Dylan with money and manipulative tactics shows just how difficult it will be for him to break free from Ray’s influence.

As Ray’s actions continue to escalate, the stakes are getting higher for April, Dylan, and the entire village. Ray’s dangerous grip on these young characters sets the stage for intense conflict in future episodes. Will April manage to avoid falling deeper into Ray’s criminal world, or will she and Dylan become even more entangled in his dangerous game? Only time will tell, but it seems like Ray is going to be a major threat for the characters in the coming weeks.

Emmerdale continues to bring intense drama, with Ray’s presence adding a layer of danger that none of the characters can escape. His manipulations and increasing power will surely affect everyone in the village, making for a tense and thrilling storyline.