Emmerdale Star Joe Absolom Hints at Exit with Cryptic ‘Unemployed’ Comment
Emmerdale fans are fearing the worst after actor Joe Absolom appeared to confirm that his time on the soap may be coming to an end. During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, the star made a telling remark about being “unemployed,” sparking speculation that villain Ray Walters could soon be written out of the show.
From EastEnders to Emmerdale Chaos
Joe Absolom joined Emmerdale earlier this year as Ray Walters, a ruthless drug dealer who dragged teenagers April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) into a dark web of exploitation and crime. His arrival marked one of the soap’s most controversial and hard-hitting storylines of the year.
As the plot unfolded, viewers learned that Ray’s adoptive mother, Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), was the mastermind behind the entire operation. The pair’s manipulation of vulnerable teens has made them two of the most despised characters in the village — and now, it seems their reign of terror may soon end.
“I Drift Between Employment and Unemployment”
Appearing on Lorraine on November 5, Joe reflected on the unpredictable nature of an actor’s life, hinting that his Emmerdale role may have wrapped.
“I sort of drift between employment and unemployment,” he said with a smile. “But I’m good at being unemployed, so it’s okay.”
He then added a particularly eyebrow-raising comment:
“As a self-unemployed actor, it’s very boring!”
The remark immediately sent Emmerdale fans into a frenzy, with many interpreting it as a quiet confirmation that his time in the Dales has come to an end.
The Cycle of Acting Work
Joe went on to discuss the uncertainty that comes with life as an actor:
“Whenever you get to the end of a job, you think you’ll never work again. Then you get another job and relax for a bit, and as that one ends, you think, ‘That’s it, I’ll never work again.’ It’s a weird cycle I’m in.”
While Joe didn’t explicitly confirm his exit, the timing of his comments — alongside Emmerdale’s ongoing storyline involving Ray and April — has only deepened speculation that the character may soon meet his downfall.
When approached for comment, ITV declined to confirm or deny whether Joe Absolom has officially left the show.
Fans Brace for Ray’s Reckoning
With Emmerdale currently airing high-stakes episodes involving April’s supposed departure and Callum’s shocking return from the dead, fans suspect that Ray’s downfall could be imminent.
Some predict a dramatic arrest, while others think Ray could meet a violent end — possibly at the hands of a desperate villager seeking revenge.
Whatever happens next, Joe’s cryptic “unemployed” comment suggests that Ray Walters’ dark chapter in the Dales is nearing its end — and Emmerdale may be about to lose one of its most chilling villains.