Emmerdale fans saw Billy Fletcher clearly hiding something and lying to wife Dawn Taylor on the ITV soap on Thursday, but the plot could be linked to a returning character

Emmerdale fans think they know what Billy Fletcher is up to amid a mystery secret, and it could be linked to a returning character.

Billy was shown making a cryptic phone call on Thursday night to a mystery person. It’s not known what the call was about, but it followed a lie to wife Dawn Taylor about some money.

As they struggled to pay the bills, Dawn was confused to find a load of cash in Billy’s rucksack he’d accidentally left at home. As he kept making his excuses about his disappearing acts, viewers were convinced he was hiding where he was going and what he was up to.

As Dawn asked him about the money he claimed he was saving up, adding he planned to surprise her with a holiday. Dawn believed him and felt bad for questioning him, leaving things there.

But viewers were sure Billy was clearly telling a lie and the money could be for something else. Some were sure he may have been paid for helping Kim Tate take her revenge on Dawn’s father Will Taylor, while this may have been ruled out later on.

Kim was revealed to be the person blackmailing Will with fans now sure she was working alone. But what does this mean for Billy, and what has he been up to?

Emmerdale fans think they know what Billy Fletcher is up to, and it could be linked to Ross Barton (Image: ITV)

He made a call to someone and was heard asking if they had anything for him. He told them he was good to go and would do anything available.

So what exactly is he being paid to do? Viewers shared their theories online with many convinced it could be linked to drugs. With Billy and Dawn leaving Home Farm, they could do with extra funds – so has Billy turned to crime to fund their rent?

Another theory is that it’s linked to returning character Ross Barton, who got up to all kinds of dodgy dealings when he was last on the show six years ago. So is this Ross’ return storyline, and could he and Billy be caught up in something?

One viewer predicted: “Could Billy be involved with Ross?!” Another asked: “Billy a drug runner??” as a third agreed: “Billy a drug runner? This is gonna backfire and they will lose those children.”

Michael Parr is reprising his role as Ross, with him already filming. He said of his comeback: “I’m over the moon to be returning to Emmerdale. Ross is a character I’m extremely fond of and I’m excited to explore what he’s been up to over the past five years. After seeing the scripts, I can’t wait for the audience to see what’s in store. One thing I can say is Ross’s return will no doubt create fireworks.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.