All too real

On set with Emmerdale as it films gruelling modern slavery plot

- SANJEETA BAINS Feature Writer

Standing in a grotty attic, eight miles from Leeds city centre on the Emmerdale set, I'm seeing up close the horrifying truth of what happened to Bear after he supposedly left the village four months ago.

In July, viewers saw Bear, played by Joshua Richards, drive away heading for Ireland after parting on bad terms with his son, Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).

But Paddy discovers Bear never made it to Ireland and is now missing.

On Friday, viewers caught a glimpse of a dirty and dishevelled Bear closer to home than Paddy could have imagined.

In a chilling final scene, fans saw villainous newcomer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) drag a distraught woman up to the attic of his boss Celia Daniels' farmhouse, Holdgate Farm.

Previously used as the Sharma family home, it is now the setting for a slavery ring masterminded by Celia (Jaye Griffiths) and organised by Ray.

As I enter the attic, I am introduced to Joe. "Welcome," he says, gesturing to the squalid space. It is filled with TV crew, led by director Tim O'Mara, as well as Josh. Soon, the camera starts rolling...

Ray begins to jab his finger at Bear, who is nursing a bloody arm. I am stunned watching the abuse, and wonder how they are coping with filming such heavy scenes.

Later, I speak to Josh, 66, who says: "It is harrowing. Everyone has worked so hard to make this story believable, because it is happening in real life. I am proud of Emmerdale for taking this subject on. It is very brave."

He appeared in the 2007 play Sold, which he says opened his eyes to the prevalence of the issue.

"Modern slavery is even bigger than slavery before abolition over 200 years ago," he says. "The exploitation of people's labour has become a huge business.