EMMERDALE fans are in shock after Al Chapman was left fighting for his life after a vicious attack – and they think Ellis has secretly returned.
The businessman – who is played by actor Michael Wildman in the ITV soap – was hit with a metal bar by a mysterious hooded figure in tonight’s episode.
He was left unconscious on the floor by the assault.
Viewers didn’t know if he had survived or not or why he had been attacked – but they were sure it was Ellis having secretly returned from Dubai.
One wrote: “This the re introduction of Ellis new actor then! #Emmerdale”
A second said: “Either the new Ellis OR Billy which I hope it wasnt coz it will only get him in trouble again!!”
Another added: “Hopefully the end of this pointless, irrelevant character that adds nothing to the programme.”
Actor Aaron Anthony will take over the role of Ellis this month after former star Asan N’Jie was sacked after threatening to kill Hollyoaks star Jamie Lomas at the TV Choice Awards in September.
Earlier in the episode Al was caught trying to convince his son Ellis into sending the money he was making in Dubai back to him to invest.
Dawn overheard him desperately trying to convince the apparently minted PE teaching assistant into investing his money from the month of work he’s done in Dubai.
She told Billy who later confronted Al and warned him off.
He told him: “Aren’t there any other mugs you could try and get money off rather than your own son?
“Are you skint or what? Just admit you’re in trouble. Ellis is trying to make something of himself and he’s in a good place.
“If you’ve got problems with cashflowleave him out of it.”
Al turned it all back on Billy and called him a “useless nomark” leaving Billy furious, but did he try to kill Al?
