Who attacked Billy in Emmerdale? Every suspect ranked after shocking attack

Billy Fletcher’s life hangs in the balance after a brutal attack left him lying in a pool of blood at the depot, just moments after his world began to unravel.

The shocking cliffhanger came after Billy ended his relationship with Gabby, admitted he still had feelings for Dawn and unknowingly found himself in Joe Tate’s firing line after Caleb revealed the truth about the kiss. With Dawn desperately trying to call Billy as his phone rang unanswered beside him, ITV has launched another classic Emmerdale mystery. 

So who attacked Billy? Here are the leading suspects.

Joe Tate

Joe is the obvious suspect, which could work against him.

By the time Billy was attacked, Joe knew everything. Caleb had told him about Billy kissing Dawn, something Joe had no idea had happened. Furious, Joe even warned Billy that his life was about to become “very complicated” before later confiding in Graham that he believed Dawn still had feelings for her ex. 

Joe certainly has the strongest motive. He had just discovered that the man he had chosen as one of his groomsmen had tried to kiss his fiancée, and Billy was still working alone at the depot.

However, because the clues point so strongly towards Joe, many viewers believe ITV may be setting up a red herring rather than revealing the real attacker so early.

Likelihood: 8/10

Graham Foster

If Joe did not carry out the attack himself, could Graham have done it for him?

Graham has repeatedly acted as Joe’s trusted confidant and fixer. After hearing about the kiss, he encouraged Joe to speak to Dawn rather than immediately reacting, but Graham is also fiercely loyal to Joe.

Some fans have suggested Graham may have decided to solve the problem himself before Joe had the chance to act, especially if he believed Billy threatened Joe’s future marriage.

Reddit theories have already begun pointing towards Graham as someone capable of acting without Joe’s direct involvement.

Likelihood: 7/10

Gabby Thomas

Gabby’s heartbreak quickly turned to anger after Billy ended their relationship.

Only moments before the attack, Billy told her their relationship was over because it “didn’t feel right.” Understandably devastated, Gabby demanded answers from Dawn before Billy was later found seriously injured.

While there is no evidence placing Gabby at the depot, her emotional state has made some viewers wonder whether she acted impulsively after feeling humiliated.

Others believe she could become a deliberate red herring, with ITV encouraging viewers to suspect her because she had both motive and opportunity.

Likelihood: 6/10

Steve

Steve might seem like an outsider, but his name has been repeatedly raised by fans online.

With Steve already involved in Caleb’s criminal operation and preparing to leave the village, some viewers believe he could have crossed paths with Billy during the final delivery.

If Billy discovered something Steve wanted to keep hidden, a confrontation could have turned violent.

At the moment there is little on screen evidence to support the theory, but several fans have suggested Steve because he would be a less predictable culprit.

Likelihood: 5/10

Dawn Fletcher

At first glance, Dawn appears to be the least likely suspect. Moments before Billy was attacked, she was desperately trying to contact him after learning he had ended his relationship with Gabby. As Billy lay unconscious beside a pool of blood, his phone could be seen ringing as Dawn left him a voicemail, unaware of what had happened.

That scene naturally paints Dawn as someone worried about Billy rather than someone who wanted to hurt him. However, soap mysteries are rarely straightforward.

Could ITV be using Dawn’s unanswered phone call as a clever double bluff? If she knew Billy planned to end things with Gabby after their near kiss, or if another confrontation took place before the attack, viewers may not yet have seen the full picture.

There is currently no evidence suggesting Dawn assaulted Billy, and her concern during the phone call appears genuine. Even so, the timing of her repeated attempts to reach him has already prompted some fans to wonder whether ITV is deliberately steering suspicion away from her before the truth is revealed.

Likelihood: 3/10

An unknown attacker

ITV loves introducing a twist just when viewers think they have solved a mystery.

It is entirely possible that Billy’s attack is linked to something viewers have not yet seen. The depot was connected to Caleb’s dodgy car parts operation, raising the possibility that somebody else involved in the illegal business wanted Billy silenced before he could expose them.

That would explain why the attack happened at work rather than somewhere connected directly to Joe, Dawn or Gabby.

Likelihood: 7/10

What are fans saying?

Across social media, opinion is split.

Many fans believe Joe is simply too obvious, arguing ITV rarely reveals the guilty party so quickly. Others think Graham may have acted to protect Joe, while some viewers have suggested Steve or Gabby could be surprise choices.

One popular theory emerging online is that Graham may have witnessed Billy and Dawn almost kissing and decided to deal with Billy himself before Joe even learned the full truth.

With Billy’s phone ringing unanswered as Dawn desperately tried to reach him, ITV has ensured there are several believable suspects going into the next episode.

Whether the attacker turns out to be Joe, Graham, Gabby, Dawn, Steve or someone nobody has considered yet, Billy’s assault has all the ingredients of another gripping Emmerdale whodunnit.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

For all the latest Emmerdale news, spoilers and theories, visit the Emmerdale Hub on SoaplandTV.co.uk.