Ryan Stocks in Emmerdale

James’s Emmerdale character Ryan Stocks arrived in Emmerdale in 2018. He is the long-lost son of Charity Dingle who believed he had died at birth. His...
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

James’s Emmerdale character Ryan Stocks arrived in Emmerdale in 2018. He is the long-lost son of Charity Dingle who believed he had died at birth.

His dad was DI Mark Bails, a police officer who had sexually abused and pimped 14-year-old Charity out to his mates. Charity had tried to force a miscarriage by drinking huge amounts of alcohol, but changed her mind when she felt the baby kick.

She escaped Bails, but when she went into labour prematurely, she was told to prepare for the worst when her baby boy didn’t cry. Unable to watch her son die, Charity fled. But she had no idea doctors had managed to revive him and he was named Ryan and raised by midwife Irene Stocks.

Ryan has ataxic cerebral palsy, like his off-screen alter ego.

Charity and Ryan reunited in Emmerdale

In 2018, Charity was looking for evidence to prosecute Bails for the historical abuse and she discovered her son had survived. She and Ryan met up, but he felt he couldn’t forge a relationship with her.

However, he gave her another chance, but was disappointed when she didn’t tell the Dingles about him. He befriended Ross Barton and once again gave Charity more chances to step up.

Ryan wanted to hear Bails’ side of the story, despite Charity’s heartbreak. But eventually he chose his mum and even attacked Bails with a wooden plank, impressing Cain Dingle!

Ryan and Dawn in Emmerdale

Ryan grew close to Dawn Taylor and helped save her from her pimp. But mistrustful Charity paid her to stay away from Ryan. Furious Ryan disowned Charity when Dawn used the money to buy heroin and took an overdose.

Dawn asked Ryan out on a date and they shared a kiss. But Ryan blew it when he tried to push things further. He even offered to pay her for sex, which put paid to any romance once and for all. They got past it and grew close again, but decided they were better off as friends.

Owner of the Woolpack

In 2022 Ryan’s adoptive mum died and left him an inheritance. He used the money to help Charity buy the Woolpack, which was up for auction. Together they became the new owners.

Relationship with Gail and son

Ryan’s childhood best friend Gail Loman came back into his life in 2023. They soon started dating again and Gail began working at the Woolpack.

It was then revealed that the couple had had a son, who they put up for adoption. Oscar was now 13 and he had aplastic anaemia. He needed a bone marrow transplant so his adoptive mother traced Gail and Ryan to see if they were a match.

Gail was a match and donated her bone marrow. Now they keep in touch with Oscar and visit him regularly.