Emmerdale fans have shared an intriguing theory about newcomer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) that would completely change the game.

John arrived in the village earlier this year and was introduced as the long-lost son of the late Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby), making him the half-sibling of Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) and Robert (Ryan Hawley).

In recent months, fans have seen him building a brotherly relationship with Victoria, while he has also embarked on a romance with Robert’s ex-husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).

However, there has been somewhat of an air of mystery surrounding the character, who also previously served in the army.

One fan has now ‘worked out’ the shocking truth about John, which places Robert – who is currently in prison – at the heart of it. 

According to Leeds Live, they posted in a group on Facebook: ‘I think I have figured out what’s going on with John, I reckon he’s connected with Robert but not in the way he’s saying. 

‘I think he was in prison with him and either loved him or hated him, and he’s come to Emmerdale to get with Aaron because of whatever went on inside.

‘Robert is being mentioned too often for there not to be an upcoming storyline about it.. I think Robert gets released and when he arrives back he sees John and it all comes out… Just my theory.’

Another fan agreed, writing: ‘I think it’s stolen identity and the real brother is dead, I wish Robert would come back but I have read there’s no plans for him to yet.’

Robert was last seen in Emmerdale back in 2019 after he was sent to prison for the death of Lee Posner (Kris Mochrie).

As viewers know, John is currently harbouring a bit of a secret, with the newcomer having been the one to tip the police off about a bare-knuckle fight between Aaron and one of Jade’s (Twinnie-Lee Moore) cronies at Butlers.

The former mechanic was left fighting for his life before John swooped into action, performing a procedure with a pen that saved his lover’s life, who he had fallen out with previously.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.