Emmerdale airs shock comeback twist for soap legend in early ITVX release

As Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) prepared to secretly fight in another unlicensed boxing match, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) told Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) that the fight was obviously going to be rigged, and Billy should be very afraid.

Mack failed to take Aaron seriously, but eventually he tried to persuade Billy to pull out of the match, fearing Aaron was right.

Billy insisted that he needed the money to support his struggling family, despite wife Dawn (Olivia Bromley) having no idea how Billy was earning the cash in the first place.

Billy asked promoter Jade (Twinnie Lee Moore) why he still didn't know who his opponent would be, and she fobbed him off as he tried to get out of the whole thing due to previous injury.

But when Jade warned that there were dangerous consequences if Billy didn't do as he was told, Mack was horrified to watch Billy get in the car with Jade, heading to the venue.

Worried for his friend, Mack pleaded with Aaron to help him, and the pair rushed to the warehouse, where Billy was gearing up to fight.

There was a roaring crowd waiting to watch, as Jade told Billy this was to be a bare knuckle fight, and a knockout match! She also claimed that his opponent was a "beast".

Mack instilled some last-minute confidence in Billy, but was soon distracted by the sight of his opponent - none other than Ross Barton (played by Michael Parr).

Emmerdale had previously confirmed that Ross would be heading back to the village, but the circumstances of his comeback were kept under wraps.

Other than illegal boxing, what has Ross been up to in his absence? Will all be revealed in the coming days?

Read more:

• Emmerdale's Eden Taylor-Draper on Belle's breakdown and when abusive Tom will get his comeuppance
• Emmerdale reveals huge Dingle bombshell in early ITVX episode
• Emmerdale airs huge return for legacy Dingle character in early ITV episode
• Emmerdale spoilers: Tina Dingle makes big Vinny threat to terrified Mandy

Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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