Is Caleb leaving Emmerdale? All the clues William Ash will exit the soap

After last night’s cliffhanger (January 21) fans are left wondering if Caleb is leaving Emmerdale. And unfortunately there are a few signs that hint at his exit.

When Caleb first arrived onto our screens as an unknown Dingle, it didn’t take long for him to fit straight in. And now, with the current Anthony storyline, William Ash is adored by fans.

So, it’s only natural for them to worry that he’s leaving the show. After last night’s gunshot and the flash-forward at the start of the year – it’s not looking good. But is Caleb actually leaving the village? Here are the signs he may be.

Is Caleb leaving Emmerdale?

Well first of all, the flash-forward scene at the beginning of 2025 didn’t look too great for Caleb.

We saw him flat-lining in hospital and he looked in pretty bad shape. But how he gets to that point, we still don’t know.

Another flash-forward showed Cain emotional while standing over a new grave. But we have no clue who was in it – was it Caleb?

And then last night, his showdown with Anthony didn’t go the way he (or us) expected it to go.

Caleb has finally discovered the truth about why Ruby hates her dad (finally!) And as expected, he wasn’t going to let Anthony get away with it easily.

After his disgusting father-in-law admitted what he done to Ruby when she was younger, a scuffle went down between them. Then a gunshot rang out. But in true Emmerdale fashion, we have to wait until tonight to see the outcome.

But was it Caleb that got shot? Fans are worried that it was. And if so, that could also explain two of the flash-forwards.

Fans fear for William Ash’s future on the show

Fans took to X to express their concern that Caleb will be leaving the show.

One wrote: “Wait! We know Anthony ends up dead. But what if the gunshot at the end of tonight’s episode was Caleb getting shot – and then Cain comes in and kills Anthony?! Because we all know the flash-forward of Caleb has to happen…”

Another fan agreed, adding: “I never even thought of this! And I totally forgot we had the flash-forwards to come. I think you are on to something here.”

While a third commented: “That would also explain Cain standing over the freshly dug grave crying.”

So while things are looking pretty bleak for Caleb right now, there has been no official announcement that William Ash has stepped away from his role.

Read more: Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Ruby crumbles and Laurel struggles 

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.

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