Emmerdale star Jay Kontzle has confirmed Billy Fletcher’s role in the upcoming Joe Tate whodunit.

The villainous character will be targeted in upcoming scenes, with nine suspects in the frame after rubbing numerous villagers the wrong way in recent months.

Among them is Billy, who will learn of wife Dawn’s infidelity with Joe after they are caught kissing by Clemmie Reed. Joe subsequently makes nasty threats against Clemmie, which Billy is outraged about.

Jay explained that the targeting of Clemmie angers Billy more than the infidelity, noting that it is “unforgivable” to threaten a child.

“A kiss can be taken in so many different ways that it could’ve been a mistake, it could have been a friendly kiss, or it could be something that does break up a marriage,” he said. “But at that point, it’s not as significant as someone threatening a child.

“That’s not something you’d just roll over on, you’d have to say something, you’d have to follow it through. You’d have to go and have a word at some point and set Joe straight really! It’s your child – regardless of the situation it’s not acceptable at all.”

Speaking about Billy’s potential revenge and how far he will go, the star teased: “It’s caused a spark because of the kids but it’s a juggle between what’s right and what’s wrong.

“What Joe Tate has done is completely wrong, so do you fight fire with fire or see the logical approach and think of the kids? The fact that Joe’s obviously threatened a child and gone behind his back and pretended to be mates with him, it’s a bit disrespectful. It feels like there should be some sort of repercussion from it.”

Jay added that Billy has “realistically” lost everything, and will lose his children and house if Joe enters the frame.

“He can move in and he knows that he’ll get Kim Tate on his side, he knows that he’ll eventually have nothing,” he continued. “He won’t have the kids, he won’t have Dawn, he won’t have a house to live in.

“So does he just risk it all anyway to show his passion towards his children and show what Joe’s done is not acceptable? Or does he take a step back and just hope that everyone understands that he’s held himself back for the safety of himself and his connection to the children?”