Overview

• Bear Wolf has been sleeping in his car after retreating from village life as he struggles with loneliness and fading self-worth.
• Joshua Richards explains Bear’s turmoil stems from grief over his wife’s death, the loss of his wrestling circle and his peers’ infirmity.
• Dominic Brunt says Paddy Kirk mistakenly channels his own fears into blaming his father instead of recognising Bear’s vulnerability.
• Producers and the actor stress Bear’s disappearance is driven by humiliation, insomnia and identity crisis at 78, not dementia.
• Emmerdale confirms Bear will return next week in a major storyline exploring ageing and mental health challenges never before tackled on the soap.