While some fans wondered whether Billy could be the mystery culprit who was blackmailing Dawn’s dad Will Taylor, this theory was ruled out when Kim Tate was confirmed to be responsible.

Next week, Billy’s mysterious storyline continues as he takes some more furtive phone calls. He also hides a pair of boxing gloves from Dawn

Mackenzie Boyd gets suspicious when Billy asks for help finding a cheap car. He doesn’t understand how Billy can afford it, especially as Billy has barely been working while baby Evan is unwell.

Mack also notes that Billy has an unexplained injury, adding another layer of intrigue to the mystery.

Later in the week, Billy risks the wrath of Dawn once again when he fails to turn up at the hospital to collect Evan, who’s coming home for the first time in weeks.

The reason why becomes clear when Billy arrives on Mack’s doorstep, desperate for help as he’s covered in blood and bruises.

Billy makes it clear that he doesn’t want to go to the hospital, as the doctors might alert the police. It’s left to Mack to try to clean Billy’s wounds.

Revealing what’s going on, Billy admits that he was injured while fighting in an unlicensed boxing match. He insists that he needs the money to support his family, who have been struggling while Evan is unwell.

As Billy’s injuries are more serious than first thought, John Sugden soon arrives to help stitch him up.

With two villagers already in on the secret, will Billy confide in Dawn about the illegal boxing club and how he’s finding it hard to leave?

Jay Kontzle, who plays Billy, explained: “It doesn’t go well in one of his fights. He ends up falling, damaging his side, and, obviously, he can’t find the strength and will to go and tell Dawn exactly what’s happened.

“So because he’s already had an initial conversation with Mackenzie in regards to getting him a new car, he feels that he’s the only person at this moment that he can really talk to and to try and get a little bit of help.

“I think for Billy, it’s subconsciously that he still wants that person to talk to. He has that relationship there, he’s got someone to take the burden on a little bit, not just have the whole thing on his shoulders.”

“He explains the fact of why he’s doing it and wants that support. And it’s actually much needed. I think that there are two reasons for him to go there, one to get cleaned up and try to cover his tracks, and to have a friend to talk to and help him along the way,” he added.

“Whether it is the right thing or the wrong thing to do, he still wants that conversation with someone.”