This week, an Emmerdale resident mentioned a character who’s been absent for most of the year.

Yesterday (July 29), Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) headed outside to hang some washing out, but then heard some rustling from the bushes.

It startled her, so she mentioned it to April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) later. She wondered if there was a thief in the village, because some of the clothes on her line had disappeared.

Laurel told April that Arthur’s (Alfie Clarke) tracksuit bottoms had vanished, prompting her to reflect on the friendship her son has with April.

‘Would you mind giving him a call because I know he’s giving you a bit of space, but he does miss you love’, Laurel told the youngster.

The person hiding in the bushes turned out to be April’s mate Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle). In the churchyard, April listened as Dylan told her that he had turned his life around as a result of rehab, and now lives in Hotten with his mate.

April was pleased for him, but currently remains unaware that Dylan is lying to her.

The returning face is kipping in the Pavilion at the moment, nursing an injured leg after Kyle (Huey Quinn) stabbed him on Monday.

We will soon discover that Dylan is working for Ray (Joe Absolom), the drug dealer who bought weed from Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).

Arthur Thomas has been away from our screens for most of this year. So far in 2025, he’s only appeared in four episodes.