Emmerdale’s Paddy Dingle makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his dad Bear Wolf from being sentenced to life in prison next week – by confessing that he helped to cover up Ray Walters’ death.

Paddy’s decision comes as Bear tries to spare him and Dylan Penders from further scrutiny by falsely claiming that he deliberately killed Ray, which means abandoning his self-defence plea.

But when the news reaches Paddy, and he discovers Bear now faces a potential life sentence, he takes matters into his own hands and confesses the truth…

“There is no way on earth that Paddy is going to let Bear do a life stretch if he can prevent it,” shares our Emmerdale spy. “He feels guilty enough that Bear was caught up in Ray and Celia’s vile operation because he felt unwelcome at Paddy’s home.

“As far as Paddy sees it, this is his chance to step up and do what needs to be done to start putting things right. It’s an incredibly brave move because it could cost him everything.”

“As far as Paddy sees it, this is his chance to step up and do what needs to be done to start putting things right. It’s an incredibly brave move because it could cost him everything.”

“Family means everything to Paddy and Mandy – it’s as simple as that,” continues our insider. “While she’s absolutely devastated at the prospect that they could all go to prison for this, Mandy knows Paddy must do this for Bear. It’s truly heartbreaking, but Mandy will support Paddy all the way, no matter what happens next.”

Following their confessions to Detective Walsh and her team, Paddy and Dylan are charged with perverting the course of justice.

However, just as they seem destined for the slammer, the Dingles discover that there could be hope if they can prove Ray was hell-bent on killing Dylan and that Bear acted to defend him.

There is someone who potentially holds the key to Paddy, Bear and Dylan’s freedom. But are they willing to help?