Emmerdale fans gobsmacked as they realise where they’ve seen DS Walsh star before

Emmerdale fans have been left astonished after finally realising where they’ve seen Amanda Ryan, who plays DS Walsh in the ITV soap, before(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale has been packed with jaw-dropping drama recently courtesy of villains Ray Walters and Celia Daniels.

Viewers will remember how Ray and his mum Celia wreaked havoc across the village last year, preying on youngsters April Windsor and Dylan Penders and forcing them into horrific situations to settle supposed debts.

Meanwhile, the twisted pair held Bear Wolf prisoner on Celia’s farm in a chilling modern slavery plot.

Bear, alongside other trapped victims, was compelled to labour under false debts on the property, yet despite Ray’s psychological games, he developed an unlikely connection with his captor.

Bear, alongside other trapped victims, was compelled to labour under false debts on the property, yet despite Ray’s psychological games, he developed an unlikely connection with his captor.

Emmerdale will be seeing a lot of DS Walsh as she investigates Ray Walters’ murder and a series of crimes in the village(Image: ITV)

As Paddy Kirk moved to contact the police, Ray made menacing threats against little Eve, leaving both Paddy and Dylan in turmoil over their next move. The episode concluded with Ray stationed in Paddy’s lounge, delivering violent warnings to both men.

Yet in a stunning turn of events, Bear made a dramatic comeback to the village despite Celia previously declaring him deceased, leaving Dylan, Paddy and Ray utterly stunned.

During a vicious showdown, Bear delivered the fatal blow to Ray whilst trying to shield his son Paddy and Dylan, ignoring their desperate appeals for restraint. After the dramatic events, Paddy and Dylan have reached an unspoken understanding, helping a distressed Bear to hide and suppress the killing.

During Tuesday’s instalment, Paddy was alarmed when he encountered DS Walsh, who revealed that detectives are keen to interview Celia about Ray’s murder.

Paddy made certain she was safely out of range before relaying this positive news to Dylan… however, the episode took an unexpected twist when he discovered Bear, overwhelmed by remorse and turmoil, had fled from his hideout.

On Tuesday’s episode, Paddy was left panicked to bump into DS Walsh(Image: ITV)

With DS Walsh, who made her first Emmerdale appearance in 2025, set to feature prominently in forthcoming episodes whilst investigating Ray’s murder and the farm trafficking operation, the part is portrayed by actress Amanda Ryan.

Whilst the storyline intensifies on screen, viewers have voiced their astonishment at recognising Amanda, 54, in the role of DS Walsh. Back in 2007, Amanda played Verity, Mad May’s (Amanda Drew) sister, in EastEnders.

Subsequently, the actress secured the part of Carrie Rogers in Shameless from 2007 to 2009.

Additional credits include Scarlet Wren in Casualty, before reprising a different character, Carrie Melanie Sinclair, in 2024. Further appearances encompass Lettice Howard in Elizabeth and Vera Campbell in Britannic.

DS Walsh, who first appeared on Emmerdale in 2025, is a focus in upcoming episodes as she investigates Ray’s murder(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale viewers have been startled to discover Amanda’s earlier television work. One baffled fan asked, “Can someone tell me where I’ve seen the actress who plays DS Walsh please?”.

Another replied: “She was in Shameless and Casualty.”

A third shared their revelation stating, “I thought that’s where I recognised her from!” Another concurred, commenting: “Same here.”