Happy Valley fans have been left on the edge of their seats again with just one week to go until the final episode airs – and one fan theory has just blown our minds.
The terrifying TV villain, played by James Norton, was seen fleeing disguised as a cyclist to the beautiful Calder Valley countryside, before being picked up and going into hiding.
Meanwhile, Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) was rounding up her family as fears grew that Tommy would come for his son Ryan (Rhys Connah).
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Throughout last night’s Happy Valley, Tommy repeatedly referred to his unfinished business with ‘that policewoman b*tch’, and asked gang leader Darius Knezevic for a gun.
Given his fraught history with Catherine (he abused her late daughter, beat Catherine up, and doused little Ryan in petrol in a failed homocide-suicide stunt) we’ve all assumed that we’ll see a Tommy-Catherine face-off on Sunday.
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James Norton as villain Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley. Credit: BBCCharlie Murphy as Ann Gallagher in Happy Valley. Credit: BBCScenes from last night’s penultimate episode of Happy Valley on BBC as fans share a theory about the finale.
But a few fans have floated a new theory, pointing out that Tommy hasn’t actually said which police officer he’s after…
Jenny Ryan from The Chase said: “Hey, any other #HappyValley fans lying awake worrying that the phrase “that policewoman” could refer to someone other than Catherine?”
Another person said: “Is anyone else thinking he hasn’t actually said which policewoman he wants to kill? It was Anne who gave evidence and got him sent away…”
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Someone else posted: “Happy Valley perfect script and acting as always. Ann’s monologue was just incredible. It occurred to me though that Tommy and Darius kept talking about sorting out ‘that policewoman bitch’. We are all expecting it to be Catherine but what if he means Ann?!!”
Hey, any other #HappyValley fans lying awake worrying that the phrase "that policewoman" could refer to someone other than Catherine?
And one user pointed out: “As for Tommy going after Catherine, she isn’t the only “policewoman” he may have a grudge against..”
My nerves can’t handle the wait for Sunday’s episode after that…
One particular scene has had fans celebrating the phenomenal script-writing and acting again, and for once it’s not Sarah Lancashire being showered with all the praise.
Charlie Murphy, who plays Ann Gallagher in Happy Valley, has been labelled ‘outrageously good’ after delivering an impassioned monologue to Ryan.
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Rhys Connah as Ryan in Happy Valley. Credit: BBC
The powerful scene, which some viewers said was ‘cruel’ and ‘brutal’, saw her deliver some harsh home truths to Ryan about his father’s past.
One person wrote: “Wow! What a piece of acting that was by @CharlieBMurphy explaining to Ryan about Tommy. Gripped!”
Another said: “@CharlieBMurphy was outrageously good in Happy Valley tonight. Sarah Lancashire deserves many plaudits but this show has strength in numbers. The trauma is real and next weeks finale I’m sure will ruin me.”
Someone else posted on Twitter: “The Ann Gallagher monologue/rant in #HappyValley tonight was up there with the best scenes in any of the episodes. Brilliant.”
One user tweeted: “Ann threw at Ryan everything that was building up in her for years. YEARS of seeing his affections towards her abuser.All her rage & pain.And to all of this she stood up for Cath & the memory of Becky. Surely one of the best & most important scenes of S3 if not whole #HappyValley.”
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And someone else added: “‘HE DOESN’T GIVE ONE TINY, SHINY F*CK ABOUT YOU!!’ #HappyValley belonged to Ann tonight. Jaw dropping couple of minutes of dialogue yet again by @spiceyw.”
The final Happy Valley will air on Sunday 5 February.
Featured image: BBC
TV & Showbiz
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for jobs on the cobbles
Daisy Jackson
Ever fancied a job working on the most famous street on television? Now’s your chance.
The Coronation Street Experience has launched a major recruitment drive for positions on the iconic cobbles.
They’re on the hunt for Corrie fans who can step into the roles of tour guides and guest services team members, leading members of the public on tours around the set of the nation’s favourite soap.
Successful applicants will be able to bring more than 65 years of TV history to life for all the visitors who flock from around the world to visit the ITV Studio’s production site.
Members of the public have been able to step onto the real filming location used in the long-running soap for more than a decade, popping into iconic locations like the Rovers Return, Roy’s Rolls, and Underworld.
The Coronation Street Experience has recently increased its tour capacity ahead of another busy summer season, and now needs extra hands who know their Platts from their Barlows.
They’re hoping to recruit passionate fans who can turn their love for the soap into a job, with duties including greeting visitors all the way to guiding them around the world-famous set.
Current tour guide Shaun Whitehouse said: “Working on the set is something most fans only dream about.
There are jobs up for grabs on the iconic Coronation Street cobbles. Credit: The Manc Group
“Every tour is different. One moment you’re sharing little-known behind-the-scenes stories and the next you’re helping guests have their photos taken outside the Rovers.
“Seeing people’s reactions when they step onto the set for the first time is magical – it really never gets old.”
Ashley Bolton-Burrows, General Manager of the Coronation Street Experience, said: “Coronation Street has been part of British life for generations and we welcome fans from all over the world who want to experience the magic of the show up close.
“We’re looking for people with energy, personality and a genuine passion for the show. Whether they’ve watched for decades or grown up with the programme, this is a fantastic opportunity to work somewhere truly unique and help create unforgettable memories for our guests.”
The Coronation Street Experience has become one of Greater Manchester’s most popular visitor attractions, giving fans exclusive access to the largest single TV production site in the world.
Applications are now open. For more information or to apply, head HERE.
You can win two VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show as part of a heartwarming Manc charity raffle
Danny Jones
Fancy bagging yourself the posh treatment at the biggest indoor gig and live entertainment venue in the city? Well, you can do just that by entering the latest Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, which is offering a pair of VIP tickets to a Co-op Live show.
All you have to do is simply do your bit for a crucial local cause.
It’s one that we’ve worked closely with in the past on many occasions: the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, which helps house rough sleepers across the region.
Teaming up with The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness – which was created specifically to generate funds for this ongoing crisis – as well as an upcoming community social, all you have to do to be in with a chance is put your name down for a cheap raffle ticket.
Writing in the caption of the post, the Mayor’s Charity has revealed that “Cross Club Social and The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness are teaming up to raffle off 2x VIP Co-op Live tickets to a show of your choosing.”
That’s right, not just any random show – you get to pick which one you fancy going along to in style.
With the 2026 edition of the annual fundraising relay event, on behalf of Greater Manchester’s homeless community, taking place this November (find out more on the GMMC website and keep up to date with us here at The Manc for the latest) they’re hoping to get the donations going nice and early.
For anyone unaware, the Cross Club Social, or ‘XCS’, has been going for a few years now; it brings together runners from all over the 10 boroughs for a big post-race party, all whilst raising money for charitable organisations.
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
The next edition will be taking place this Friday, 19 June, over at the award-winning Fairfield Social Club, where an all-day party will run, pardon the pun, well into the night.
Better still, entrants into the raffle don’t have to wait long to find out if they’re a winner, as the lucky recipient is set to be announced the following Saturday (20 Jun) after the big shindig over on the XCS Instagram page.
The Mayor’s Charity team signed off by adding, “Good luck and together, we will end homelessness” – a mission that many Manc groups, especially, have been working so hard to make possible in recent times.
For instance, last year alone, the aforementioned 24 Hour Run, whose team will be in attendance and taking donations for at XCS 2026, generated a whopping £70k, and the total tally has now reached truly life-changing sums.
As for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity raffle, you can grab a ticket HERE for just a fiver to secure your chance to go along to a VIP night at Co-op Live. Fingers crossed!