Haunting Emmerdale update confirms shock death amid Joe and Dawn’s tragic wedding

| Soaps Reporter Published August 3, 2026 8:30pm Updated August 3, 2026 9:07pm Though the world of soap is full of twists and turns, two things that you can always expect are weddings and funerals, and a brand new Emmerdale trailer has confirmed that both are on the horizon in the ITV soap… The couple set to tie the knot are Dawn Fletcher (Olivia Bromley) and Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), but to say they’re on the path to wedded bliss is a gross misrepresentation. Already, Dawn has betrayed Joe by kissing Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle), and Billy has been left fighting for his life after a brutal attack. Obviously, Joe is the prime suspect, but Dawn is desperate to believe that he really is a changed man and wouldn’t have hurt Billy. Tomorrow, Billy is set to be brought out of his coma, and Dawn is hopeful that he will be able to identify his attacker and clear Joe’s name – but will she get the outcome she wants? Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. This is only the beginning of the drama as the build up to the big day brings more challenges for the couple, before culminating in ‘huge’ wedding week. There’s drama ahead in the Dales… (Picture: ITV) In tonight’s brand new trailer, it looks as though tragedy is set to strike amid the celebrations, as Dawn ends up swapping her wedding dress for a black veil – a sure sign that time is ticking for one Emmerdale villager. But who is at risk? If the trailer is anything to go by, it could be either Joe or Billy, as they can both be seen disappearing from Dawn’s mirror in the trailer. ‘The run up to Dawn and Joe’s wedding will be far from straightforward but the week of the wedding is even more dramatic!’ Show boss Laura Shaw teased. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video ‘The day will end in tragedy with the consequences having ramifications that will impact the villagers’ lives for years to come.’ When Metro caught up with Laura last week, she gave us even more information. ‘All I can say is that the wedding week is huge and then what follows after… The boom, boom, booms absolutely do not stop! ‘ Laura enthused. Deals of the Day Wuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows Bridgerton fans are rushing to buy these new Netflix-inspired perfumes now £12 off The affordable summer wardrobe update you'll wear from rooftop drinks to beach holidays The £7.99 lip balm beauty fans love for glossy, hydrated lips just dropped four new shades This Keskine hydrogel mask could fix your summer skin ‘Just because of the way that we film, I’ve actually already watched the run of episodes after the wedding and I just sat there and even though I knew what was coming, I kept gasping out loud. There’s so many shocks, there’s so many twists, there’s so many turns.’ Arrow MORE: Joe in the clear in Emmerdale – but subtle clue may reveal Billy’s actual attacker Arrow MORE: Things get even worse for distressed Gabby in Emmerdale as she makes a heartbreaking discovery Arrow MORE: Billy’s fate ‘confirmed’ in Emmerdale as Joe is questioned The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.