Dylan Penders (played by Fred Kettle) and April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) will be dragged into a dark storyline involving newcomer Ray Mullan (Joe Absolom). At the beginning of the year, a special episode of Emmerdale detailed what happened to April after she went missing. The flashback episode depicted April’s life on the streets, where she formed a close bond with homeless teenager Dylan. He made his return to the village during Monday (July 28) night’s episode and was stabbed in the leg by Kyle Dingle (Huey Quinn) when he went rummaging around Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) with another masked teenager.

Tonight’s episode will feature a reunion between Dylan and April, who haven’t seen each other in months. Opening up about their connection, Fred exclusively told Express.co.uk and other press: “The bond they had during their time on the street, it was so special. They both helped each other get through really tough times and I think when they parted, that’s all Dylan would be able to think about. He’s never had a click with anyone apart from Bex, who had passed in that special episode.”

The actor added: “They really care about each other and rely on each other. It’s such a raw and fresh feeling for both of them because I don’t think either of them have experienced this sort of relationship.”

Although April will hope that Dylan has turned his life around, Fred revealed it is quite the opposite and his character has now started dealing drugs for Ray.

Divulging how Dylan ended up in this situation, Fred explained: “Since Dylan came out of rehab, he was supposed to be going to hostels to rejuvenate. But everyone at the hostel was taking drugs themselves and Dylan wanted to avoid that.

“Then it’s Ray who actually helps him. He takes him under his wing and tries to help him get away from drugs. I think Ray is trying to gain a bit of trust. There’s a little bit of a father-son relationship going on so Ray can gain trust to make Dylan sell drugs for him.”

Fred went on: “He wants to protect April. Dylan knows he’s doing the wrong thing but at the end of the day, it’s better than what he was doing. Ray is manipulating him.”

Although Dylan wants to conceal his secret from April, Ray eventually sets his sights on her and it’s not long before she is dragged into his dodgy dealings.

Speaking at the 2025 British Soap Awards, Joe said: “Ray turns up and he likes to sell the leaves [drugs] and it’s a bit of a county lines idea. I actually get kids, April and Dylan, to work for me and to pay them cash. It’s quite good fun.”