A beloved Emmerdale icon spoke about ‘retiring’ before his character was brutally killed in a gruesome Christmas Day plot twist.
Dean Andrews is best known for his role as Will Taylor – husband of the legendary Kim Tate, played by Claire King – in the ITV soap, but his character died after suffering a fatal heart attack during the festive special.
Prior to his departure, the actor, 61, discussed leaving the show he originally joined in 2019 – admitting he needed to be written if were to leave, because he wouldn’t go of his own accord.
‘I feel very settled,’ he told The Sun earlier this year. ‘I remember before I came in and hearing people say it’s like a family at Emmerdale and thinking blah, blah, blah, but it really is.
‘Because we are together. I definitely see Claire [King] more than I see my own wife, and Olivia more than I see my own daughters so we are like a little family.’
He remarked that when he first came in, producers asked him how long he’d like to stay, to which he replied: ‘If I come in now, you’ll have to kick me out’.
A beloved Emmerdale icon has opened up about ‘retiring’ after he was brutally killed in a gruesome Christmas death plot twist
Dean Andrews, 61, played Will Taylor in the ITV soap from April 2019, and his character died after suffering a heart attack on the Christmas’ Day special (pictured in August on the show)
The actor also admitted he feels he’s at the right age to retire, despite being in his early sixties.
MailOnline has contacted Dean’s reps for a comment.
Emmerdale viewers were on edge this Christmas Day as Will was found unconscious following a heated row with wife Kim.
His secret plot to betray his wife came to light, despite his decision to abandon the scheme days earlier.
However, moments after renewing their vows, Kim declared their marriage was over, leading to Will’s shocking collapse.
Kim remained unconvinced as she watched in disbelief while Will, clutching his chest, suddenly fall to the floor.
Attempting to win her forgiveness, he tried to explain himself but staggered forward, leaving chaos in his wake as furniture and decorations were sent flying.
Earlier in the episode, a flashforward hinted at turmoil at Home Farm, with the Christmas tree lying on the ground.
The actor told The Sun earlier this year that he feels ‘very settled’ and now at an age where he ‘will retire’
He remarked that when he first came in, producers asked him how long he’d like to stay, to which he replied: ‘If I come in now, you’ll have to kick me out’.’
The mystery was soon solved when Will’s unexpected health crisis caused the shocking scene.
Now viewers are left wondering what’s happening to Will, and will he survive the ordeal?
Fans have flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
They said: ‘I think will taylor faking it to see kim tate leave him dies like her did to Frank tate and wait and see first emmerdale,’
‘Will collapses at Kim’s feet, appearing to be having a heart attack shades of Frank Tate’s demise!’
‘Is it Will that dies then .??…not what I imagined would happen ..bit of a let down,’
‘First Chris Tate, now possibly Will Taylor,’
‘Didn’t know will had a heart attack that was a surprise… is she going to stand there and watch like she did with Frank tate? History repeating itself,’
Emmerdale viewers were on edge this Christmas Day as Will Taylor (Dean) was discovered unconscious following a heated row with Kim Tate (Claire King)
‘RIP Will.’
Will’s shock collapse and secret reveal weren’t hinted at in the spoilers, leaving fans totally in the dark about what’s next.
While there might be a few clues about whether he survives, viewers will have to wait until the Boxing Day episode to find out what’s really going on.
One thing’s for sure, this isn’t the first time Kim’s faced a moment like this as a few years ago, in the very same room, her husband Frank Tate had a fatal heart attack.
Viewers watched as she coldly walked away, leaving him to die all alone.
But things have changed, and Kim clearly has strong feelings for Will, but whether she’ll forgive him is still up in the air.
There’s also the big question: how will Will’s daughter, Dawn, react when she finds out about his secret plan involving Kim?
However, moments after renewing their vows, Kim declared their marriage was over, leading to Will’s shocking collapse
Fans have flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their reactions
The development in the storyline comes when Joe Tate exposed Will’s plot to ruin Kim, revealing that he had teamed up with Peter and Joe for revenge.
According to Joe, Will initially approached Kim’s son, Jamie Tate, with the plan while Kim and Jamie were at odds.
However, when Jamie turned him down, Will reluctantly accepted an offer, unaware that Joe was also involved.
Joe now insists that he was protecting Kim by setting Will up, but viewers are left questioning his true motives.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
