EMMERDALE fans are convinced a sinister villager is hiding a deadly secret, sparking fears for Aaron Dingle’s wellbeing.

Viewers of the ITV soap have been left on edge as a chilling new theory emerges about one of the village’s residents.

4

4

John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) made his debut in the village last August, but little is known about him beyond his mysterious past in the army.

He quickly struck up a romance with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).

But events took a dark turn when Aaron and John discovered that abuser Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day) had died at Caleb Miligan's (Will Ash) depot last week.

The villain's demise came after a brutal beating from Aaron, who sought revenge upon discovering that Anthony was a child abuser who had preyed on his daughter Ruby (Beth Cordingly) during her teenage years.

read more on emmerdale

DALE CAMEO

Top politician to appear in Emmerdale after praising ITV soap

SOAP SHOCK

Emmerdale villager confesses to murdering Anthony Fox in shock spoilers

Rather than letting Aaron face the consequences of his impulsive crime, John took matters into his own hands, insisting they dispose of the body and make it look like Anthony had left the village voluntarily.

Monday’s episode saw Aaron and John frantically trying to cover their tracks following Anthony's death.

First on the agenda was removing Anthony’s car, which was still parked in the village, a potential link to the crime that needed to be erased.

John cleverly distracted Ruby by falsely claiming there had been a gas leak at Mill Cottage, ensuring the property was vacant.

Most read in Soaps

SOAP SHOCK

Emmerdale signs major rival soap star as new villain and it's bad news for Moira

Killer Comeback

Hollyoaks killer to return after three years in shock recast

SOAP SHOCK

Coronation Street star’s future on ITV soap revealed as soap son is murdered

singing star

Soap stars' music careers revealed from EastEnders legend to Corrie surprise

This gave Aaron the perfect opportunity to gather the last of Anthony’s belongings without raising suspicion.

By the end of the day, both Ruby and Caleb appeared convinced that Anthony had quietly returned, collected his things, and left the village for good.

Meanwhile, Steph (Georgia Jay) was also relieved, believing that Anthony was safe and well.

One fan wrote: "I always thought the “John is a serial killer” rumours were absolutely ridiculous, but being in the army does not usually mean that you would be so calm about clearing up the murder of an old man and then just dumping their body.

"He was so fine with it to the point that I actually believe he may have killed Nate and maybe “Aidan Moore”.

Another agreed: "He’s definitely done this before, I suspect he will get madder and worse."

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock...

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) - Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly's drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) - In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale's first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke's rape (2000) - Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs - who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) - Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

A third penned: "I'm getting Cameron vibes from John and I don't like it. John is acting the same way Cameron was when he killed Gennie."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available from 7am on ITVX.

4

4