Emmerdale viewers are convinced they’ve worked out who Steph Miligan’s real father is after the sickening abuse twist involving Ruby Fox-Miligan’s dad Anthony

The real father behind Emmerdale’s Steph Miligan has finally been ‘unearthed’, and it’s quite the shocker.

In the recent episodes from the village, a dark revelation about Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) and her alienated father Anthony (Nicholas Day) came to light, leaving fans reeling. Remember when Anthony suddenly turned up in the Dales just last month?

After an absence spanning over a decade, Anthony’s entrance coincided with Steph (Georgia Jay) seeking out her folks in the soap. With high hopes of mending fences, Steph’s intention was for the Miligan-Fox clan to bury the hatchet, particularly as a cancer diagnosis hangs heavy over Anthony.

Ruby’s past dealings with Anthony were evidently fraught, but she conceded to have him stay close in order to keep her relationship with daughter Steph intact. Meanwhile, Caleb Miligan (William Ash), Ruby’s other half, seemed eager for her to forge new ties with her old man, despite her turmoil.

Fans have ‘worked out’ Steph’s real dad(Image: ITV)

Ruby herself has been a bundle of nerves, battling panic attacks and seemingly concealing a monumental secret concerning her father. A secret so profound that it led her into the arms of Caleb’s stepbrother Cain (Jeff Hordley), reports Leeds Live.

But it all came pouring out on Thursday’s episode (December 12), where a look back at Ruby’s 16th birthday laid bare the grim reality: Anthony had sexually abused her when she was younger. And then, adding to the twisted tale, a cryptic clue dropped that suggested Anthony might be Steph’s biological dad, after a remark by Steph implied she was a “16th birthday baby”.

The bombshell in the storyline has absolutely rattled Emmerdale fans, leaving them utterly gobsmacked. Now, buzz among the fanbase is at an all-time high as they reckon they’ve sussed out who Steph’s actual dad is and it’s neither Caleb nor Anthony.

The truth about Anthony has been revealed(Image: ITV)

On an Emmerdale Facebook fan group, sleuths are buzzing with speculation that another family member could have committed the vile act against Ruby, resulting in a pregnancy. One viewer speculated: “I was right! ! From the beginning I said her father is her abuser. Most likely Steph’s grandad is also her dad. Will be devastating for her.”

The post sparked a flurry of responses with other fans chipping in with their two cents on the identity of Steph’s real father. Another intrigued fan mentioned: “I’m not sure, I feel there’s another twist coming.”

Additionally, someone else suggested: “Perhaps it was an uncle or relative who abused her as well? They could be Steph’s father.” A fourth member of the group was on the same wavelength, commenting: “I thought this too.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm