Killer John’s return ‘confirmed’ in Emmerdale as he executes final revenge
You better watch out. You better not cry. Is Emmerdale’s serial killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) coming to town?
Soapland loves a good conspiracy. The moment a big baddie hangs up their devil horns and leaves our favourite show, fans are already speculating on their return with wild theories that would make Terminator 2 seem realistic and grounded.
But the rumour mill is working overtime as Emmerdale’s Christmas celebrations are set to be gate-crashed by a mysterious tormentor targeting a beloved couple.
After the year from hell, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) has finally sent his unhinged jailhouse-hubby Kev Townsend (Christopher Coghill) packing from the Dales with a broken heart. Now all he wants to do is settle down with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and bring baby Seb back into their lives – the son he had with the late Rebecca White (Emily Head).
However, this does not sit well with Ross Barton (Michael Parr), Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend and the closest thing little Seb ever had to a dad. But Aaron backs Robert’s decision to be a dad all the way… and pretty soon, a brick smashes through his windscreen.
The trees outside his house are on fire. There’s a shady suspect lurking in the shadows with malevolent intent and their reign of terror is only just beginning. And when Robert goes looking for this unknown villain… he goes missing on Christmas Day. Looks like Aaron’s on somebody’s naughty list.
Who has a grudge against Robert and Aaron? Is it bad boy Ross Barton settling their score over Seb?
Is Kev back to make one last twisted play for Robert’s heart? Could it somehow be connected to evil people trafficking duo Celia and Ray? Or maybe, just maybe, is Aaron about to have a festive reunion with his murderous ex-husband and his boyfriend’s half-brother… the one and only John Sugden?
Let’s put our CSI Emmerdale hats on for a second and play detective. Does John fit the profile? The lovechild of legendary character Jack Sugden, John was a trained army medic who had a secret affair with another man in his unit, Aidan Moore. During a tour in Afghanistan, Aidan was left comatose due to an accident.
Devastated, John blamed himself. Since that day, the sociopathic Sugden developed a twisted hero complex with a pathological need to save people – even if it meant putting them in danger. Greatest hits include accidentally euthanising Nate Robinson and dumping his body in the lake, framing addict Owen Williams for Nate’s death, poisoning Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) with almond milk so he could step in and save him from his nut allergy, and repeatedly tormenting Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) just so he could swoop in to the rescue.
Our boy has definitely got a rap sheet. What about motive? John was married to Aaron, but their entire relationship was overshadowed by Aaron’s feelings for Robert, his true love.
A picture of John has appeared in Coronation Street
Both men played a part in the killer’s ultimate downfall. John’s crimes were exposed when Aaron woke from his coma and revealed how his crazed ex threw him from a gorge to frame Robert, who was jailed for the attack.
Not only that, but Aaron revealed how the murderous medic had been keeping Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) captive in a bunker.
So where is John Sugden now? Emmerdale fans will remember the nail-biting woodland showdown in September 2025, where the killer was staring down the barrel of a shotgun held by Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), ready to take revenge for the murder of his son Nate (Jurell Carter).
But John had an unlikely ally in Caleb, who was forced to knock Cain – or John would send a scheduled an email to the police, which disclosed that Caleb’s wife Ruby had killed her abusive father Anthony Fox.
The last time we saw John was at a service station in Rotterdam, having asked Caleb to tell Aaron he loved him and Cain that he was sorry for killing Nate.
Was that truly the final chapter for the psychopathic Sugden? Possibly not. In October 2025, Big Bad John in the most unlikely of places… Coronation Street.
During an episode, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a wanted posted in Weatherfield police station that featured a mug shot of the mad medic. This fuelled fan speculation that the Dales Villain would feature in the much-anticipated crossover Corriedale, which soap writer Sharon Marshall seemed to agree with.
On This Morning with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, she shared her thoughts on the last chapter of John Sugden. ‘I think we’d be kind of robbed if we didn’t see that confrontation between the two of them [Cain and John]. I’m wondering, because his Wanted picture has appeared in the Weatherfield Police Station, whether there might be a final chapter where we see his comeuppance.’
Is John Sugden driving home for Christmas? One thing’s for sure. The case is far from closed.