Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) was left devastated by the death of Anya (Alia Al-Shabibi). But he hits breaking point this week when evil Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) forces him to literally dig his friend’s grave.

Trapped in a domestic slavery nightmare, Bear has been coerced into submission by drug dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom), Celia’s right hand man in her people trafficking organisation.

Actor Joshua Richards shares some insight into his character’s mental state. ‘I think Bear is going through a very difficult time in his life. I think he’s possibly confused, not very well and probably drug-addled and not knowing exactly where he is or what he’s doing.’

Viewers were moved to tears when Anya fell victim to Ray and Celia’s abuse and passed away in Bear’s arms.

So when fellow prisoners Mick and Simo reveal that Ray dumped Anya’s body in the feed shed, Bear’s grief turns to rage as he grabs Ray by the scruff of the neck, demanding answers.

‘I think he’s absolutely horrified’ Joshua confides, ‘because he’s been told by Ray – who he trusts with his life – that everything’s fine. I think initially he gets quite angry, disappointed and somewhat saddened. But because he’s been manipulated very heavily by Ray he almost forgives him.’

Devious Ray is able to talk himself out of trouble. but Bear throws a spanner in the works when he insists on holding a funeral for Anya.  Worried, Ray reports back to Celia, who in a seemingly rare display of compassion, agrees to Bear’s request. But like everything else with the devilish Mrs Daniels, all is not as it seems…

That evening, Celia and Ray gather Bear, Simo and Mick for Anya’s makeshift funeral in Butler’s field, where they plan to bury her. Appalled at the lack of formality, Bear tries to make the best of it and pay his last respects.

However, Celia has a twisted surprise in store – she forces Bear to dig Anya’s grave. ’I think for Bear it must have been a very poignant and difficult thing to do’, shares Joshua. ‘But of course he wanted to do right by her and show some kind of respect.’

Once Anya is buried, there’s an utterly heartbreaking scene as Bear gives a speech and sings a song he used to comfort Anya with over her grave, while Celia watches on, without a trace of emotion.

After the horrifying ordeal, Mick and Simo plead with a brainwashed Bear to see that Ray’s lying to him and inform him of their plans to escape. Bear’s in turmoil.

He’s desperate to return to the village, reunite with his son Paddy and honour Anya’s dying wish to look after her little girl. But Joshua explains how Ray has preyed on Bear’s vulnerabilities to make him dependant. ‘It’s like giving a dog treats.

It’s very clever manipulation and very insidious, that you can bit by bit instill in somebody that you’re needed by the for their very existence. Ray is very successful at doing that because he has a natural charm and he has an ability to get under people’s skin. ‘

Will Bear ever break free of Ray’s control and go back to being the big-hearted hero we know and love? ‘Of course he will because it’s soap, darling!’ Joshua laughed. ‘We all bounce back!’