Emmerdale actor Joe Absolom has sparked intense speculation that his time in the Dales may be coming to an end after making a cryptic remark about being “unemployed” during a recent TV appearance.

The 46-year-old joined the ITV soap earlier this year as menacing drug dealer Ray Walters, a villain whose arrival has brought chaos, manipulation, and tragedy to the village. But now, fans are wondering whether Ray’s reign of terror is about to conclude — and whether Absolom has officially wrapped filming.

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A Villain’s Storyline Nears Its Peak

Since his debut, Ray has been at the heart of Emmerdale’s darkest storyline this year, coercing April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) into his drug operation. The plot thickened when viewers discovered that Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) — Ray’s adoptive mother — was the true mastermind behind the criminal ring.

Together, the pair manipulated and exploited the teenagers, pushing April to the brink of despair. But with recent episodes hinting at Ray’s potential downfall and the exposure of Celia’s crimes, fans have suspected the actor’s exit might be imminent.

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Joe’s ‘Unemployed’ Confession on Lorraine

Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday, November 5, Joe opened up about the uncertain nature of life as an actor — and dropped a telling clue that had fans talking.

Reflecting on his career, he said:

“I sort of drift between employment and unemployment. But I’m good at being unemployed, so it’s okay.”

He then added with a grin:

“As a self-unemployed actor, it’s very boring!”

The comments sent Emmerdale fans into a frenzy, with many taking it as confirmation that Ray’s storyline has come to an end — and that Joe has already filmed his final scenes.

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Life After the Dales?

Joe, who previously starred in EastEnders as Matthew Rose and more recently appeared in The Level and Code of Silence, admitted he’s familiar with the unpredictability of acting work.

“Whenever you get to the end of a job, you think you’ll never work again. Then you get another job and think, ‘Great,’ and relax for a bit. Then that job finishes and you go, ‘I’m never going to work again!’ It’s this weird cycle I’m in.”

While Emmerdale declined to comment on his future with the show, the actor’s remarks — combined with the current direction of Ray’s storyline — suggest a dramatic exit could be on the horizon.

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What’s Next for Ray Walters?

With Ray’s crimes closing in and April Windsor preparing to leave the village under suspicious circumstances, the pieces are falling into place for a fiery showdown. Whether he’s exposed, arrested, or meets a more violent end remains to be seen — but one thing’s certain: Ray won’t go quietly.

If Joe Absolom’s time in Emmerdale is indeed over, his short but intense run as one of the soap’s most despicable villains will leave a lasting mark on the Dales.