Recent episodes of Emmerdale have revealed that Billy Fletcher is harbouring quite the crush on Doctor Manpreet… while wife Dawn cheats on him with Joe. This comes amid Manpreet’s blackmail torment, with a mystery figure threatening over her online secret.
But Manpreet’s blackmailer isn’t the only one who knows she’s been posting steamy pictures of herself online – count Billy among that number too (unless he’s the one who’s been blackmailing her, of course). As last week’s episodes revealed, Billy knows all about Manpreet’s account, and was highly disappointed when it was shut down.
With Billy clearly harbouring feelings for Manpreet (if that’s how you want to interpret his lecherous gaze), one wonders why he’s with Dawn at all (the whole marriage and kids thing aside). Here’s all the reasons so far that Billy should leave Dawn for Manpreet.
…unless he’s blackmailing her of course, in which case, shame on you, Billy.
Should Billy leave Dawn for Manpreet on Emmerdale?
1. Dawn has been cheating on Billy as he lusts after Manpreet
Last week’s episodes saw Billy try to physically reconnect with his wife, with the pair bemoaning how their sex life had dried up. Unbeknownst to Billy, Dawn has her reasons – she’s been getting it elsewhere, and not just with the Home Farm washing machine’s spin cycle.
Dawn has been cheating on Billy for months, treating him like a doormat as she carries on with Joe behind his back. Kim was appropriately horrified as she learned their secret, but Dawn was shamelessly brazen in her refusal to pack the affair in.
Billy deserves better, and who better than Manpreet, who has feelings for him too?
2. Billy and Manpreet have history
Manpreet was left red-faced when she made a drunken pass at Billy last year. Although he initially spurned her advances, there was clearly an affection (and attraction) there.
And if Billy’s fandom of her page proves anything (aside from possible hints to his guilt), it’s that he’s continued to think about her in the months since their kiss. With Dawn’s eyes diverted elsewhere, surely he deserves someone who wants him back?
3. They have chemistry
Emmerdale spoilers for tonight’s episode (Monday, March 17) reveal that Manpreet and Billy share a charged moment when she gives him a lift back to Home Farm. As they part ways, a spark between them ignites, and both Billy and Manpreet are left feeling awkward.
If their kiss proved anything, it’s that the pair have chemistry – which is more than can be said for Billy and his wife, who’s far more interested in Joe than she is her own husband.
4. Manpreet’s a glamorous woman
In recent months, viewers have turned on Dawn (an affair will do that), with many taking the opportunity to slam Dawn’s terrible dress sense.
“Does Dawn never wash her hair and own any clothes other than hoodies and sweatshirts?” wrote one fan on X following a recent episode.
“The actress who plays Dawn in Emmerdale is beautiful! Nice to see her in normal clothes rather than baggy jumpers and scruffy hair!” observed another of a picture of star Olivia Bromley at the British Soap Awards.
“Does Dawn ever change her clothes, she had those on in the last episode,” commented a third.
“Why does Dawn dress so badly?” asked another.
Manpreet, by contrast, is one of the village’s most glamorous residents. And if it sounds as though fans are being cruel to Dawn, actress Olivia shares their opinion, telling Inside Soap: ‘I hate Dawn’s wardrobe with a passion. It depresses me – I can’t lie.
‘I wish she could be as glamorous as Kim Tate. Unfortunately, I’m saddled with drab jumpers.’
5. Their marriage is dead in the water (probably)
Between Dawn’s physical affair with Joe and Billy’s fantasising about Manpreet, their marriage is just about dead in the water. While they’re now forever bonded by their children, it seems like too much betrayal on both sides (well, maybe more one than the other) for their marriage to survive.
Even if he can’t be with Manpreet, they should probably just call it a day.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYHtZwSQdDY?si=uZOLDOA8DmOy2bt4]
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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