Emmerdale spoilers follow from Thursday’s episode (4 September), which is available to watch now on ITVX and YouTube but hasn’t yet aired on ITV1.

Emmerdale airs the next stage of John Sugden’s sinister storyline tonight as he tries to make Aaron Dingle totally dependent on him.

John shares his evil intentions with Mackenzie Boyd after realising that Aaron hasn’t been faithful in their marriage.

The malicious medic’s ongoing soap saga is now escalating quickly, as he’s lured Aaron away from the village to live with him in a remote cottage. He’s also holding Mack captive in an underground bunker nearby.

In tonight’s episode, John pays another visit to Mack in the bunker and reveals that he’s been snooping through his phone. Mack wants to talk about his wife Charity, but John has other things on his mind…

“Do you know who did leave you a message?” John asks. “Aaron. He wanted to ask your advice, about what him and Robert have been up to behind my back.

“And he wanted to know if being with me was a mistake.”

As always, though, John has a nasty plan in mind to regain control. Sharing all the shocking details, he tells Mack that he plans to spike some whisky with drugs and trick Aaron into drinking it.

The high dose will leave Aaron feeling unwell, giving John yet another opportunity to step in and “take care” of him.

“This is what I’m doing,” John explains. “Aaron has to see how much he needs me, how much we love each other.

“Because no matter how many times he says the words, I don’t think he means them. Not any more. Not since [Robert] came back. But he will. I will make sure of it.”

Mack desperately tries to point out that John is risking Aaron’s life by planning to poison him – especially after what happened to Nate Robinson.

Before long, though, John’s new plan is under way – in an episode full of major twists and turns. Fans can see how the drama plays out tonight at 7.30pm on ITV1, or it’s streaming early now on ITVX and YouTube.