Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) is potentially the most dark, insidious and terrifying new villain soap land has seen in years, and while we at Metro can’t get enough of her, it’s evident the residents of Emmerdale, particularly those related to April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) have much to fear.
April has been ensnared in a county lines drug dealing operation since being reunited with Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle), who villain Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) had already fully inducted into a life of crime. With some skilful manipulation and a fake mugging, April and Dylan became ‘in debt’ to the ring and sunk further into the underworld.
With things looking certain to unravel and April set to spill her guts to the police after her brother, Leo Goskirk (Harvey Rogerson) ingested an ecstasy tablet she’d dropped on her way to a deal, Ray called in the big guns and true boss Celia unveiled herself to April. She made it crystal clear: speak to the police and meet a horrific end.
April’s threat incensed Celia who chastised her adopted son and subordinate, Ray, for being too soft on the children in their employ, making it clear that she intends to push them further as the true scope of her operation became chillingly clear.
Attempting to use her burgeoning relationship with April’s grandad, Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw) to further isolate her, Celia oversaw April’s expulsion from the family home, manipulating Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) into ensuring she remains at arms length from both her and dad Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), before ordering Ray to send her on a different kind of job.
When it became clear to April that she was not only delivering drugs to a client, but also, herself, she fled, utterly terrified at the thought of having to engage in prostitution. Celia again confronted her, reminding her of the enormous debt hanging over her head while telling her that taking ‘jobs’ like that would help clear it much more quickly.
When terrified April and Dylan decided to steal money from Ray and run, they were outwitted, with Ray taking Dylan away and informing April that she was to comply with any ‘request’ from an upcoming client, lest Dylan be seriously hurt.
As April prepared herself to meet the client, Celia reminded her that the job was ‘easy money’, promising her that what she would have to do would get easier the more she did it.
Although April’s ‘customer’ initially presented as kind, his attitude changed when she decided she couldn’t go through with the job. As he forced himself on her, she struck him with a bottle of vodka, killing him.
Today’s episode opened with April desperately calling Ray, who, in turn, told Celia, and the two rushing to April in the B&B. With the traumatised teen begging her tormentors for help, Celia agreed, demanding Ray dispose of the body. Though Ray was (minorly) concerned for April, Celia was, as usual, ice cold in her dealings and when April thanked her for the help, Celia reaffirmed that it wouldn’t come without a price.
When April later announced to Ray that she wanted out and was more than willing to tell the police all about the operation she’s found herself so deeply trapped in, he once again called on the boss. Despite April’s begging, Celia reaffirmed that she ‘owns’ her, proposing to April that, should she cross her, they’ll play her version of ‘snog, marry, avoid’ with Dylan, Bob and Marlon.
Celia’s version? ‘Burn, stab, drown’. Yikes.
Informing April that her debt has increased due to the necessity of covering up a murder, Celia informed her that there won’t be any escaping and left her alone and sobbing.
Is there any way out for April?
