Emmerdale fans 'work out' missing Dylan's whereabouts and April will be heartbroken

Emmerdale viewers are convinced they've figured out the grim fate of missing character Dylan Penders.

Dylan, portrayed by Fred Kettle, first appeared on the ITV soap last year in a special episode centred around April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan) who had run away from home and was living rough.

In a vulnerable state and pregnant, April struck up a friendship with Dylan who took her under his wing, particularly after discovering she was expecting.

April eventually returned to the village, with Dylan following suit, attempting to turn over a new leaf. However, in recent months, both Dylan and April have been ensnared in the dangerous world of drug dealing.

Initially, it was only Dylan working for the menacing dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom). But soon enough, April was drawn into the illicit trade, taking on jobs for Ray who saw potential use in her, reports the Daily Star.

The plot thickened when it was revealed that the boss pulling the strings is Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths), Ray's mother. This week, however, April and Dylan decided to abscond with some of Ray's money. But Ray discovered their plan and coerced them into returning, threatening harm to April's family, including her brother Leo (Harvey Rogerson), if they didn't comply.

Ray soon arrived to collect April and Dylan, but instructed only Dylan to get into his car. Before driving off with Dylan, Ray warned April that if she wanted Dylan to be safe, she must do whatever her client demands, to which she agreed.

During Thursday's episode (October 30), April remained in the dark about Dylan's location, despite questioning both Ray and Celia. Following a morning spent searching for Dylan, April was then compelled to attend a client meeting.

Upon arrival at his residence, April was surprised to encounter a younger gentleman. The situation took a disturbing twist when the man attempted to assault her, prompting April to strike him over the head with a vodka bottle, apparently fatally.

With the dramatic events unfolding, viewers are convinced they've worked out Dylan's location. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one viewer questioned: "They wouldn't have killed Dylan would they?".

Another responded: "Maybe? There's some shocking twist coming soon isn't there," referencing recent comments from Marlon Dingle actor Mark Charnock, who confirmed a surprise twist in the forthcoming April and Marlon special episode - with Mark admitting "it really threw me". A third soap enthusiast speculated: "Probably keeping him hostage and torturing him." Whilst a fourth declared: "Poor Dylan! I want this storyline over with!"

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm