Could the Emmerdale cast be set to get even smaller? As news of an ITV soap schedule change was announced, it’s inevitable that we’re going to lose some characters.

And it makes the most sense that the ones who are potentially going to go are the ones with minimal connections in the village.

One example of that is Billy. With his marriage hanging on by a thread, his wife having an affair and literally no other attachments in the village, are his days numbered?

Let’s look at all the evidence that suggests he could making an exit in 2025 – and maybe even in a body bag.

Joe and Dawn’s affair leads to Emmerdale cast change?

Currently Billy’s wife Dawn can’t keep away from Joe Tate, no matter how much she tries.

After the pair slept together, Dawn was overwhelmed with guilt and told him it would never happen again. But in true soap fashion, it does continue.

With the Joe vs Billy debate for Dawn, if her husband ever found out the truth, would he leave her? And if so, where else in the village could he even go?

No loose ends

Billy is one of the few people in the village that literally has no other family member there. So if anyone’s days are numbered, it’s going to be his.

Most of the villagers all have someone else to turn to; family members or even close friends. But Billy seems like a lone wolf in Emmerdale.

Of course, in the earlier years of Billy’s time in Emmerdale, he had quite a close friendship with Marlon Dingle, who was in a relationship with his mother. But as the years went on it seems the show has moved past their closeness.

However, he has outlasted any of his family members. Both his mum and his brother, Ellis, have appeared on the show for lengthy periods of time. But neither lasted as long as Billy.

So if he were to find out about Dawn and Joe, would he move away to actually be with his family?

Emmerdale exit evidence: Could Billy die?

Emmerdale kicked off 2025 with a lot of ominous flash-forwards that left us with a lot of questions.

We know there will be a body thrown into the river by an unknown person. And while many assumed that was John getting rid of Anthony’s body – we never actually saw that.

Could Billy find himself embroiled in conflict with someone – Joe perhaps? Or will he begin illegally fighting again and it goes wrong?

Then there was also a hand stuck under the ice. And the hand was wearing a wedding ring. We know the huge ice stunt is coming up very soon. And Emmerdale has teased which cast members are involved. So could Billy be under the ice?

If Billy does die, it opens up even more storylines for Dawn and his family, as she has just recently lost her dad, too. Then on top of mourning, she would be hit with guilt over her affair with Joe…

Emmerdale exit evidence: Fan reactions to Emmerdale character Billy

Over the last lot of months, Billy has not been a fan favourite character. In fact, some of his decisions have angered viewers.

From actively ignoring Dawn’s advice about the boxing with Ross, to refusing to move into Home Farm when they hadn’t anywhere else to go. Billy hasn’t really been the family man he appears make out that he is.

Before she began her affair with Joe, fans were even labelling Billy and Dawn as ‘painfully boring’ as the couple lost the spark they once had.

So with all of the evidence, is Billy’s time in the Emmerdale village coming to an end?