As Gail’s departure looms, Ryan Stocks finds himself at a personal crossroads — and fans are convinced they know who could fill the emotional void. With speculation mounting and family ties tangled in the mix, could Ryan’s next love story shake the Dales to its core?

With the winds of change sweeping through Emmerdale, one character stands at the center of emotional upheaval and fan speculation: Ryan Stocks. As viewers prepare to bid farewell to Gail Loman, played by Rachael Gill-Davis, fans are already turning their attention to what — and who — comes next for Ryan. And if social media buzz is to be believed, the next chapter of his romantic journey could be more explosive than anyone anticipated.

Portrayed with raw sincerity by James Moore since 2018, Ryan has evolved from a newcomer into one of the soap’s most layered and quietly powerful characters. As the long-lost son of Charity Dingle, Ryan was introduced to Emmerdale audiences amid emotional turmoil and family reckoning. His arrival peeled back decades-old wounds in Charity’s past, including the trauma of her sexual assault by corrupt police officer Mark Bails — Ryan’s biological father. In the aftermath, Ryan became more than just a plot twist; he became a symbol of resilience, complexity, and redemption.

Now, fans fear another heartbreak is looming.

The departure of Gail Loman signals more than just the end of a relationship — it threatens to unravel years of emotional investment. Gail and Ryan’s love story has been anything but conventional. Childhood sweethearts who gave up their son, Oscar, for adoption as teenagers, their reunion years later was marked by painful memories and newfound hope. When Oscar re-entered their lives in 2023, desperately needing a bone marrow transplant, it forced both Gail and Ryan to confront their shared past, their guilt, and their evolving feelings for each other.

Their reconciliation was heartfelt, grounded in vulnerability and second chances — the kind of slow-burn romance soap fans cherish. But cracks have begun to show.

In the May 1st episode, viewers watched as Gail confided in Ryan about her deep dissatisfaction working at the Woolpack. Feeling undervalued and stuck, she confessed that she had turned down an offer to manage a bed and breakfast in Devon — a move that sparked quiet introspection. While she initially dismissed the idea, it clearly resonated, triggering a deeper question: Is her future really in Emmerdale? And more importantly, is it with Ryan?

Spoilers now tease that Gail will begin questioning not only her career but her entire place in the village — and in Ryan’s life. Though her exit hasn’t officially played out onscreen, all signs point to a bittersweet farewell. But with Gail’s departure comes a new storyline brewing for Ryan — one laced with both emotional risk and shocking possibilities.

The Fan Frenzy: Who’s Next for Ryan?

On Facebook fan forums and Twitter threads, Emmerdale devotees have begun speculating over who Ryan might turn to next. And while many names have been thrown into the ring, one in particular has sparked intense debate — Belle Dingle.

At first glance, the suggestion raised eyebrows. Belle, Charity’s second cousin, is technically family — albeit distantly. Yet in a soap where moral lines often blur and family trees twist like brambles, this hasn’t stopped relationships from forming in the past.

One viewer mused, “Who do we think Ryan will get with next, seeing as Gail is leaving?” The answer from several fans: Belle Dingle. “Isn’t she related to him?” one fan questioned, before adding with a knowing nod, “But that’s not stopped people before in Emmerdale.”

The idea of Ryan and Belle together is as intriguing as it is controversial — and it’s not without emotional stakes.

A Complicated Union — Or Something More?

Belle Dingle, a fan-favorite with her own history of trauma and redemption, has faced more heartbreak and chaos than most. From her mental health struggles to her toxic relationship with Jamie Tate, Belle has battled demons and emerged with a quiet strength. In many ways, she and Ryan share an emotional kinship — two characters often underestimated, deeply empathetic, and scarred by their pasts.

If these two were to cross paths romantically, it wouldn’t be a story of lust or scandal. It would be a story of emotional healing. A relationship rooted in shared understanding, with the potential to build into something deeply profound.

But the consequences? Monumental.

Charity’s reaction would undoubtedly be explosive. Already protective of Ryan and burdened by her own guilt over his early life, Charity might see a relationship with Belle as a betrayal — or worse, a threat to the fragile bond she’s built with her son. Dingle family loyalties would be tested, and old wounds reopened. Cain, Chas, Lydia — all would have opinions, and few would stay silent.

Could the Dingles survive another internal war?

What Lies Ahead for Ryan?

Whether the Belle theory pans out or not, one thing is clear: Emmerdale is setting Ryan up for a transformative arc. With Gail’s exit, Ryan is at a narrative crossroads. Does he retreat into himself, grieving another lost chance at happiness? Or does he take a risk and open his heart again — possibly to someone fans least expect?

The ripple effects of Gail’s departure won’t just alter Ryan’s world; they could shift the entire village dynamic. And in classic Emmerdale fashion, what begins as a whisper of romantic possibility could explode into scandal, betrayal, and emotional fallout.

For now, viewers are left watching for clues — a lingering glance, a shared drink, a quiet conversation by the Woolpack fire. Because in the Dales, every moment counts, and every connection could be the start of something seismic.