A forgotten Emmerdale mystery is finally resurfacing — and this time, it could change everything for the Dingle family. Next week, Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) makes a chilling discovery about his father, Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards), whose disappearance months ago is about to take a dark and emotional turn.

Bear’s Vanishing Act

Three months ago, Bear left the village claiming he was off to stay with old wrestling friends in Ireland after a heated falling-out with Paddy. But viewers know the truth — Bear never made it to Ireland. Since then, he’s been completely off the radar, and now Paddy is about to realise something is seriously wrong.

According to an insider, “Bear and Paddy didn’t leave on great terms. Bear’s erratic behaviour was worrying everyone, so he decided it was best he get away for a while. But Paddy soon learns that his dad lied about where he went — and now he has no idea where he is.”

A Package and a Chilling Clue

Paddy’s suspicions are triggered when a mysterious package arrives at the vet’s, addressed to Bear. With his father still missing, Paddy decides to open it — and what he finds inside confirms his worst fears.

Whatever the contents are, they prove that Bear never reached Ireland. Panicked, Paddy begins calling around his dad’s old contacts, only to discover that none of them have heard from him. It becomes heartbreakingly clear — Bear has vanished without a trace.

“The more he looks into this, the worse it gets,” says our source. “Paddy thought Bear just needed space, but when he fails to call for granddaughter Eve’s birthday, it becomes clear something is seriously wrong.”

Paddy Turns to the Police

As his worry spirals into desperation, Paddy finally reports his father missing to the police, hoping for answers — but fearing the worst. Could Bear be hurt, in danger, or hiding a shocking secret?

What Happened During Bear’s Missing 100 Days?

Emmerdale bosses have teased a major upcoming storyline focusing on Bear’s mysterious disappearance. Back in May, producer Laura Shaw promised that Bear’s absence was setting the stage for something huge:

“He’s going to go off screen for a little while, he’s going to go missing. And when he comes back, what you’ll see is a very different Bear in a really different situation. We’ll all be watching and going, ‘What the hell has happened here?’”

ITV has since confirmed a special episode airing next month, exploring Bear’s missing 100 days — revealing where he’s been, what he’s endured, and why he couldn’t come home.

A Mystery That Could Change the Dingles Forever

With Paddy’s past trauma still fresh and his father’s fate uncertain, this storyline promises to blend mystery, emotion, and family drama in classic Emmerdale fashion. One thing’s certain — when Bear finally returns to the village, nothing will ever be the same again.