William "Billy" Hopwood is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by David Crellin.

He is the father of Andy Sugden (Kelvin Fletcher), and his main storyline results in him murdering Vic Windsor (Alun Lewis).

[3] Crellin told Digital Spy that Billy originally wanted to make money and live a "champagne lifestyle like everybody else has."

In the character's back story, he took drugs, took part in business raids, sought involvement in an "inner-city gang", and carried firearms.

"[3] In December 1998, Billy commits a robbery at the local post office and which results in a struggle with postmaster Vic Windsor (Alun Lewis).

Billy wants to "lay down some kind of roots" in the village because he has spent his life being a drifter or incarcerated.

Vic's daughter Kelly Windsor (Adele Silva) does not want Billy living in the village either.

[3] Tittensor told a reporter from What's on TV that Daz is wary of his father's return although they there is a "strong bond between them".

While Daz is "pleased and wants to see him", he attempts to keep away from Billy because Andy and Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) do not approve.

After Victoria exposed his affairs and causes him to lose "love of his life", he gets revenge by telling her that Jack killed her mother Sarah Sugden (Alyson Spiro).

[6] Having been released from prison, Billy arrives in the village to see his son Andy, who is fostered by the Sugden family.

Vic's daughter Kelly happens to intercept the letter and is disgusted to discover that her father's killer is going to be released.

Kelly pays Eli Dingle (Joseph Gilgun) to tamper with the brakes on Billy's vehicle to cause an accident.

Diane sets Billy up on a date with her sister Val Lambert (Charlie Hardwick) and the pair share a kiss.

Diane tells Billy that she does not love him and simply enjoyed the element of danger that their relationship created.

[7] Jane Simon of the Daily Mirror said that "no one would shed a tear for Billy" if he had died in the lorry accident.

[8] The accident involving Billy and Victoria was nominated for "Spectacular Scene of the Year" at the 2007 British Soap Awards.

While he is not good at parenting, Simon quipped that he was becoming the "world's most hard-working bin-man – along with racing to fulfil every one of Jimmy's outrageous demands, he now seems to be providing a seven-day, round-theclock collection service for the villagers of Emmerdale.

"[10] Tina Baker from Soaplife branded Billy a "nasty" character and the plot featuring him and Andy whilst he escaped from prison as "brilliant" and "tense scenes".

Due to Billy's characterisation and Crellin's previous acting roles, Baker noted that he "seems to have cornered the market in horrid men.