The ITV soap turned gritty on Thursday as a bare-knuckle boxing match left Aaron in danger as John battled to save him. But it was another couple who were at the centre of all the drama
Emmerdale has teased problems for Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) and Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley) after an illegal boxing match went seriously wrong.
In recent episodes of the ITV soap, Billy confessed his involvement in illegal boxing after he feared promoter Jade had kidnapped Clemmie and Lucas.
In a moment of panic, cash-strapped Billy told Dawn about his recent fight with Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and now the pair are forced to take part in a re-match.
In a twist, Dawn told Billy and Ross that they should take part in the fight to get Jade off their backs and make it look real – with Ross to win the bout.
During Thursday’s (November 7) trip to the village, fierce promotor Jade (Twinnie-Lee Moore) demanded the bare-knuckle fight take place in the barn at Butler’s Farm.
Elsewhere, Dawn urged Billy to stick to their plan and let Ross win the fight. But wanting a good show, Jade offered Billy a bonus if he was entertaining but Dawn confirmed they could win loads more cash if he lasted for three rounds before Ross knocks him down.
When the fight got underway Ross provided the entertainment but it was Billy who appeared to have the upper hand.
Dawn watched on with a concerned expression but as Ross started to win the fight, Billy got up from the floor instead of being defeated.
John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) soon appeared at the barn, alerting Aaron (Danny Miller) and Mack (Lawrence Robb) that the police were en route. Jade hastily called off the fight as her crew rushed to gather their possessions and flee.
When two tough guys failed to locate the stash of money, Aaron attempted to prevent one of them from escaping but was swiftly punched. Aaron cried out before collapsing on the barn floor.
A police officer summoned an ambulance while John sprang into action to assist Aaron, with Mack watching helplessly.
Meanwhile, Dawn and Billy fled the scene but she was angry at her husband for not sticking to the plan during the fight. Billy apologised but she walked away without him.
Once they had returned home, Dawn informed Billy that she was no longer wearing her wedding ring, explaining that she had pawned it to get money to place a bet on Ross in hopes of a big return.
However, as Billy hadn’t stuck to the plan, all the money was all gone. As Billy pledged to get the wedding ring back, Dawn was left questioning their relationship.
“Do what you want,” she said. “Get it back, don’t get it back. But right now, I don’t see myself wearing it again.”
Is Billy and Dawn’s marriage over? Some Emmerdale fans think Dawn will find herself back in the arms of Ross as the pair have history together.
Taking to X, one viewer asked: “#Emmerdale does Dawn still fancy Ross?”.
A second stated: “Dawn and Ross gonna sleep together soon then #Emmerdale.”
A third chimed in: “Is Billy going to get badly injured? Also Ross has a connection to Dawn. I sense things aren’t going go to Dawn plan. #Emmerdale.”
However, another fan urged Billy to turn his back on his wife, they wrote: “Billy should leave dawn. Say I will be there for the kids but not her. She is hard work! #Emmerdale.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm.