In a shocking twist that has sent waves through the Emmerdale fandom, Celia Daniels — one of the soap’s darkest and most controversial figures — has finally met her brutal fate. The feared crime matriarch, known for her icy authority and ruthless empire, was stabbed to death by her own right-hand man, Ray Walters, bringing a chilling end to her reign. For many viewers, it was the ultimate comeuppance. For actress Jay Griffiths, however, it marked an emotional farewell to a role she calls one of the best of her career.

Jay, whose impressive résumé includes iconic British dramas such as Silent Witness, EastEnders, Doctors, and Casualty, confessed that leaving Emmerdale was far from easy. She admitted she struggled to learn her lines in the final days because she simply didn’t want it to end. The last scene pushed her to the brink of tears — then she had to lie motionless on the cold floor, playing dead, as Celia’s terrifying journey closed forever.

Celia’s story arc has been one of the boldest in recent soap history. Far from the stereotypical caring matriarch, she was calculating, manipulative, and unapologetically heartless. Running a sprawling criminal network under the innocent cover of farming, she orchestrated human trafficking rings, extortion schemes, modern slavery operations, and emotional manipulation. She brainwashed Ray into calling her “Mum,” turning loyalty into control. Emmerdale viewers called her one of the nastiest villains the show has ever seen — a title Jay wears with mischievous pride.

But it was love that finally undid Celia. When Ray refused to leave the village because of his growing feelings for Laurel Thomas, Celia snapped. Their furious confrontation turned deadly, and the man she thought she owned delivered the fatal blows. To Celia, the idea that Ray might crave normality and tenderness was unthinkable. Losing control was her ultimate nightmare, and for the first time, her power was not enough to save her.

Off-screen, Jay’s connection to the storyline ran deeper than fiction. She previously revealed on daytime television that she had once survived an abusive relationship herself, and she is now working with domestic abuse charities to support others. Playing Celia — a woman capable of inflicting deep harm — while having survived harm personally, gave the role emotional weight and life-changing impact. Emmerdale, she says, has transformed her both professionally and personally.

Despite the character’s cruelty, fans who met Jay in real life were thrilled. In supermarkets and streets, they confessed a guilty delight in meeting the woman behind one of TV’s most chilling villains. They hated Celia — and somehow adored her too. And now, with Celia gone, Jay believes viewers will secretly miss having someone “irreplacably bad” shaking the village to its core.

Though sad to go, Jay agrees Celia’s death was inevitable. There was no redemption arc, no softening, no last-minute transformation. If she had lived, she would only have destroyed someone else’s life. Instead, her shocking end became a powerful statement, while also shining a light on real-world issues of exploitation and abuse.

Jay leaves Emmerdale with cherished memories, Celia’s hat and walking stick, and a mysterious new role ahead. She cannot yet reveal what comes next — bound by strict confidentiality — but one thing is clear: Celia Daniels’ shadow will linger over Emmerdale for a long time, and her departure marks the end of an unforgettable chapter.