Emmerdale Star Jaye Griffiths Confirms Celia’s Exit and Teases the Villain’s Hidden Weakness
Emmerdale star Jaye Griffiths has confirmed that her ruthless character, Celia Daniels, won’t be terrorising the Dales forever — but before she goes, viewers can expect shocking revelations and rare glimpses of the monster’s fragile heart.
“I Knew It Was Finite” – Griffiths on Celia’s Dark Arc
Griffiths, who has captivated audiences as the icy crime matriarch behind Ray Walters’s (Joe Absolom) drug and human trafficking operation, told RadioTimes.com that she always knew her stint on Emmerdale would be temporary.
“I knew it was finite, which I am very sad about because I would like to stay forever,” she admitted. “It’s such a strong arc.”
Celia’s reign of terror has dominated the soap’s darker storylines this year, from exploiting vulnerable teens like April Windsor to manipulating her adoptive son, Ray. But according to Griffiths, even Celia isn’t immune to heartbreak.
A Glimpse Beneath the Armour
In upcoming scenes, Celia discovers that Ray has developed feelings for Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy). When Laurel tries to kiss him and he refuses, Celia’s reaction exposes her first real crack.
“That breaks Celia’s heart,” Griffiths explained. “It means Laurel isn’t just a fling. He likes her too much to treat her like one, and that’s too real for Celia. It means she might lose him — and that would come close to breaking her.”
The moment, described in the script as “an inch of fragility,” offers a haunting contrast to the character’s usual cruelty.
“She covers it up straight away, of course,” Griffiths added, “but that’s one moment of weakness we could show, because otherwise you just see her strolling about hurting people.”
Control, Possession, and Fear of Being Alone
Celia’s obsession with Ray, Griffiths revealed, stems from deep-rooted abandonment and control.
“She’s terrified of losing control of him, but underneath it’s about someone else loving him. He’s hers,” she said. “They’ve moved around so much that she’s become the only person he relies on. To lose that would mean Celia was truly alone in the universe — and I’m not sure she’s ready for that.”
The Cost of Playing Evil
Portraying a character as cold and remorseless as Celia takes its toll, the actress confessed.
“When you have to shut down all feeling and empathy, that’s exhausting,” she said. “Caring about people is what makes you human. So to not have that, even for a role, it makes you lonely sometimes.”
Despite the emotional strain, Griffiths admitted that playing someone so unapologetically cruel can be liberating.
“She doesn’t care whether you like her or not. That’s what makes her big. She’s not afraid because the worst that could happen has already happened — and she survived.”
A Secret Hidden in Plain Sight
Celia’s carefully curated image also hides a disturbing secret. Fans have noticed her signature cravat, but few realise it conceals a dark backstory.
“She wears a cravat because someone once tried to cut her head off,” Griffiths revealed. “It’s subtle, only halfway across her throat. I didn’t want it ever mentioned in dialogue — just a visual hint of her past.”
In a scene with Bob Hope (Tony Audenshaw), viewers may catch him noticing the scar before quickly looking away — a silent nod to Celia’s mysterious former life.
A Villain Fans Love to Hate — For Now
While many viewers currently admire Celia’s confidence and swagger, Griffiths warned that this admiration won’t last.
“People stop me in the street to say how much they love Celia, and I think, ‘Yeah… that’s not going to last,’” she laughed. “I know what’s coming, and I’m going to get hate mail!”
As her storyline with Ray and April heads toward its explosive conclusion, Emmerdale has confirmed that the show continues to work with The Salvation Army to ensure the depiction of modern slavery remains sensitive and realistic.
Celia’s Final Act Approaches
With her control slipping, her crimes catching up with her, and Ray drifting toward love and independence, Celia’s empire is collapsing — and Griffiths teases that her downfall will be both devastating and unforgettable.
“Watch this space,” she warned. “We shall see.”