Ray Stead

Ray Stead is the owner of a chain of bookmakers. In June 2006, Pearl Ladderbanks, an old friend of his, visits one of his shops. After a horse she bets on wins, Ray convinces her to place further bets, it leaves her in a lot of debt. A few days later, Ray turns up in the village to see Pearl, but she isn't in and is greeted by her partner Len Reynolds. Ray tells Len that Pearl owes him £600, which Len offers to pay, and says that he has a couple of weeks to pay.
A year later, Marlon Dingle visits another of Ray's shops when he decides to secretly bet all £3,000 he received from the sale of building materials to win £20,000 he and his wife Donna need for a deposit. Marlon's horse wins, but Ray rips him off by eating the betting slip, leaving him with nothing. Marlon tells his furious brother Eli about the debacle. Marlon vows to get the money back and Eli decides to help him out, as long as Marlon follows his plan. Marlon and Eli turn up to do the job at the bookies in a stolen car, but Marlon is horrified when Eli reveals that he's brought a gun. Eli threatens Ray and is almost successful when a customer walks in and a struggle ensures. Marlon walks in to see Eli threatening Ray and a customer with the gun and he tries to grab the weapon. But the gun goes off and Marlon is left in a pool of blood, as he urges Eli to run for the door. Ray and the customer ring for an ambulance and Marlon is rushed to hospital. A few days later, Ray, who is grateful to Marlon for preventing the robbery and feeling guilty, turns up at the hospital to give him his winnings.
==List of appearances==
===2006===
*Fri 23rd Jun
*Wed 28th Jun
===2007===
*Thu 7th Jun
*Tue 12th Jun (2)
*Fri 15th Jun
Category:Emmerdale characters
Category:2006 minor characters
Category:2007 minor characters