ITV Emmerdale Ella Forster’s secret ‘sealed’: Meena twist, Nadine link and witness protection

Emmerdale offered more hints into Ella Forster’s past and secret on Friday night, where she was hit by a huge death bombshell.

The new character made a dramatic debut in the village earlier this year as she poured a drink over her boss Jules, quitting her job on the spot while standing up for Mandy Dingle at a vets social. Since then, Ella has landed a job as a receptionist at the surgery and struck up a romance with co-worker doctor Liam Cavanagh.

However, Ella has soon left viewers suspicious as it’s clear she’s hiding something with her behaviour raising eyebrows at times. In recent episodes, Ella has sparked concern in the village after it was revealed she was sleeping in her car and upon moving into Liam’s after he learnt the news, she snapped at close friend Mandy when she saw her looking at an old photo. In further suspicious behaviour, Ella refused to be photographed at the village fete and dashed off on Wednesday.

On Thursday’s episode, Ella’s secret was hinted at even more as she went to visit a mystery old lady with dementia at a care home. Together they looked at an old photo album, where they stopped at an old picture of the old lady working with all the girls at a cigarette factory. During the scene, Ella revealed she had been visiting for a while and they both commented on how lucky they were to have each other.

However, in a heartbreaking moment, the old lady forgot as she repeated herself again asking to look at the photo album to which Ella replied: “Who cares, it’s our thing, we love it!” In a hint at Ella’s secret, the old lady asked: “Were we once very sad about something?” to which Manpreet Sharma appeared in the hallway in a coincidence as she was visiting one of the care home residents who had suspected shingles.

Later, Ella confronted Manpreet in the hallway as she accused her of spying on her. Manpreet was left baffled over Ella’s accusation and assured her she was there on doctor’s business. After Ella gave Manpreet a lift home in silence, she made her co-worker promise not to tell anyone. Ella warned if she spied on her or told anyone she would leave the village immediately, saying of the mystery old lady: “I’m all she’s got.”

On Friday’s episode, Ella headed to see the old lady but was confused to find her missing. Upon requiring at reception, a devastated and stunned Ella learnt that the old lady, who was revealed to be called June Phillips, had passed away in the night from a heart attack. Later, a devastated Ella went into June’s room as she looked at a photo to which a member of staff came in, warning that only relatives are permitted to deal with possessions of the deceased, confirming that Ella wasn’t related to June.

Taking to social media, viewers have been sharing their theories predicting everything from Ella being linked to former village serial killer Meena Jutla, friends with Meena’s first victim Nadine Butler and even in witness protection. One person said: “This Ella story in #Emmerdale is interesting I definitely think this is related too Meena. I think Ella could’ve been friends with Nadine maybe” while another added: “So, my current thought on the Ella saga; I wonder if she’s somehow related to meenas first victim (Nadine was found dead in her car after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes) the one Leanna found out about then Meena killed her to shut her up?”

A different account put: “I’m thinking the girl in the picture is dead and she maybe killed or accidentally killed her and has served time as a child and is now under a new id with her old life being legally sealed away but who knows hopefully it won’t a drag out reveal” while another added: “#Emmerdale just putting this out there. Meena murdered her friend Nadine because she didn’t like her meeting up with other friends, (she went to a spa with them). My theory is that Ella is one of these other friends.”

Elsewhere, one viewer predicted: “Strange secretive behaviour by Ella. Maybe she’s broke because she’s paying for the elder ladies care. I’m thinking maybe she’s in witness protection!”, a different account put: “I like the witness protection programme theory, for Ella. maybe Ella is innocent of any wrong doing. Just witnessed something that is bad” while another added: “I think she met her in prison and looked after her and started visiting when she was released.”