ITV Share By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025 Billy Hopwood: Brutal murder, his feud with the Sugdens and a steamy affair Billy was dad to Andy Sugden and Daz Eden Andy Sugden Daz Daz Eden Share By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025 Billy Hopwood is back in the village in Classic Emmerdale, having been released from prison. But no one is very pleased to see him! Billy was the biological dad of Andy Sugden and Daz Eden, but as far as fathers go, he was definitely lacking. We thought it was time for a recap on what exactly Billy did to get on the wrong side of just about everyone in Emmerdale. Billy Hopwood arrives in Emmerdale Billy first appeared in Emmerdale back in 1997. Andy had been fostered by the Sugden family after his grandfather died. So it was a shock when his estranged dad Billy showed up, having been released from prison. Despite the Sugdens’ objections, Andy went to live with his dad in a caravan. But it wasn’t a happy existence! Billy was scratching a living taking on jobs here and there – mostly illegal! And Andy was left to fend for himself. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers When Billy took off, Andy was relieved. He went back to live with the Sugdens, and settled down into family life. Armed robbery and murder! Vic was killed in the post office robbery (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) But just a year or so later, Billy returned. He had all sorts of plans to improve his life – and Andy’s too. Though those plans included him borrowing money from his teenage son, begging him for food and planning an armed robbery at the post office! On Christmas Day 1998, Billy tried to rob the post office. Vic Windsor was fatally injured as a result and he died later that same day. Billy went to prison – again! After Billy was banged up, the Sugdens officially adopted Andy. Billy Hopwood returns In 2007 – in scenes currently airing on Classic Emmerdale – Billy was released and he came straight back to Emmerdale. By this time Andy had met his half-brother Daz, who was also living in the village. Daz wanted to get to know his dad, but Andy wanted nothing to do with him. Meanwhile, Kelly Windsor wanted revenge on the man who’d killed her dad. When Billy got a job as a rubbish collector, Kelly paid Eli Dingle to tamper with the brakes on the truck. But the plan backfired. Billy gave Victoria Sugden a lift in the lorry and when the brakes failed, he ended up driving into the lake. Billy escaped the submerged truck, but Victoria was trapped. Bravely, Billy kept diving under the water to keep Vic breathing until rescuers arrived. Jack was grateful but he warned Billy that it didn’t change anything. Billy and Diane had feelings for one another (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Shocking affair! Diane, though, thought otherwise! She and Billy had grown close. Diane – who was engaged to Jack at the time – tried to fight her feelings. She even set Billy up with her sister Val. But they couldn’t resist for long and soon they were having an affair. When Val found out, she told Jack. There was a huge Sugden family row and Victoria brutally insulted Billy. In revenge, Billy revealed that Andy was the one who started the fire that killed Sarah – Victoria’s mum. Diane broke things off with Billy and Victoria, wanting to lash out, set a fire in the house to take revenge on her family. Unlikely hero Billy managed to rescue Andy and Jack from the flames, but he himself was trapped by an explosion. Daz kept vigil by Billy’s hospital bed (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Billy the survivor! Everyone thought Billy was dead but he actually survived. Devoted Daz sat by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up but when Daz was asleep, Billy discharged himself and left the hospital – and Emmerdale. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am. Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm. Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 14 2025
