Emmerdale’s Bear Wolf has been held captive by villains Ray Walters and Celia Daniels for months.
Steven Gidwaney has confirmed he has wrapped filming as Simo on Emmerdale. Simo was introduced as part of the modern slavery storyline which has seen Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) coerced into working for villains Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) and Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) with no way out. Bear has been under their control for months, living in a cramped, filthy cellar beneath Celia’s farmhouse. But he isn’t the only one forced to endure such conditions; over time, he has formed bonds with others in the same situation, including Simo.
Last week, prisoners Simo and Mick (Leon Harrop) set their plan in motion to finally escape from Ray and Celia’s clutches. After Mick informed Bear that the key to their freedom was in the kitchen, the former wrestler swiped them and handed them over to Simo. Bear assured Mick and Simo that Ray would be out with Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) and with Celia elsewhere, they’d be the only ones on the farm.
But after months of manipulation, Bear has developed a warped sense of loyalty towards Ray and urged him to stick around at the farm. As a result, he ended up catching Mick and Simo as they tried to escape.
After their failed escape attempt, Simo was transferred to another farm by Ray. While viewers might be holding out hope for his return to save Bear, Steven has confirmed his exit in a lengthy Instagram.
He began: “Where do I start? What a pleasure it’s been to be involved in such a HUGE storyline. To have been trusted with something like this is amazing to me!
“Firstly, I’d like to thank my incredibly hardworking agent for always pushing me through that door. You work so hard and I appreciate you so much and so glad I’ve got you in my corner.”
He continued: “Secondly, the whole team at Emmerdale! Cast, crew, kitchen staff, everyone! Amazing people and honestly the best place I’ve had the pleasure of working!
A special thank you to Faye Styring & Ezra Tren-Humphries for allowing me to be Simo. Another special thank you to Tim O’Mara, Eamonn Norris, Jeff Naylor & Gary Williams – all the fabulous directors I worked with.”
“I’ve loved every second of being Simo!”
Teasing that the story is far from over, the soap star added: “BIG thank you to you all for all your love and support and keep watching the nations favourite farm to see what happens with Bear, Celia & Ray!”
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