Village punching bag Billy Fletcher is at a loose end after being dumped by wife Dawn on Emmerdale this week. This came as she made her decision, choosing to end her marriage so she could pursue her romance with Joe Tate.

Making a fool of himself after accusing (and blaming) Ross, Billy packed his bags and left Home Farm. His marriage seemingly over for good, where does that leave Billy? The character has long lacked a a purpose outside of his wife, making his future on the soap uncertain.

How might the soap keep Billy around following this latest development?

What’s next for Billy on Emmerdale?

1. Relationship with Manpreet

Between her making a drunken pass and his obsession with her erotic online presence, Billy and Manpreet have always been drawn to each other. This led to friction in his marriage, especially when Dawn learned about his skeevy online activities.

Manpreet showed that there was still a mutual attraction recently, when she fixed him up after he bashed his leg during a jog. They once again resisted but now he’s a single man, might he and Manpreet pursue their romance once the dust has settled?

2. Could Billy move in with Kim on Emmerdale?

Kim’s always had a soft spot for Billy, and tried her best to talk Dawn out of ending their marriage. She demonstrated that she was taking no sides this week, as she offered Billy a place to stay as he moved out of Home Farm.

When all’s said and done, maybe Joe and Dawn should be the ones to clear off, leaving Billy and the kids at Home Farm? After having suffered through so much lately, he deserves a little luxury in Tate mansion.

“Kim should just keep Billy and the kids … Dawn can go to Dubai with Joe,” suggested one fan on X.

3. Will Billy and Dawn reconcile?

They may have chemistry for days, but one thing’s fore sure – you can’t trust Joe Tate as far as you can throw him. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks Dawn’s heart (if he survives that long, that is) and she’s bound to find herself without him sooner of later.

But where might that leave Billy and Dawn? She evidently still has feelings for Billy, so we wouldn’t discount her seeing sense once Joe’s in the rear view mirror. The pair could always reconcile somewhere down the line, repairing their marriage once Joe’s gone. Whether Dawn deserves a second chance, on the other hand, is another matter entirely…

4. Billy Fletcher, Emmerdale family man

After everything she’s done, Dawn’s hardly been mother of the year this year. Palming the kids off on Billy while she pursued her illicit relationship with Joe, her priorities have been out of whack for a while now. Billy’s hardly top dad material (flying off the handle at Ross; the whole underground boxing ring thing), but he’s always prioritised his children.

It would be interesting to see Billy seek custody of the children – and succeed – heralding his future as super single father.

5. Dark Billy

He may be reliable as they come, but Billy is hardly Emmerdale’s most compelling figure. All that might change in the wake of his split from Dawn, making for a hitherto darker side. Dawn suggested as much this week, fearing that he’d kill Joe if he ever found out the truth about the affair.

With rumours of a whodunnit abound, the soap could see Billy take on a heel turn, going darker than we’ve ever seen before. Back to the boxing ring, perhaps?

6. Emmerdale fans predict Billy and Belle romance

With Billy now a single man, speculation is at an all-time high as to whom he’ll date next. Move aside Manpreet – another name has emerged, with fans wondering whether he might find love with recent divorcee Belle.

With Belle fresh out of her marriage to abuser Tom King, she could do with a little stability in her life. Might she find it with Billy?