Not all fans of Emmerdale are happy with the soap killing him off

Some Emmerdale fans have been expressing their views on how the ITV soap have handled villain Anthony Fox’s departure as they asked for “justice” instead of him being killed off.

Anthony is set to meet a gruesome end after his historical abuse towards daughter Ruby came to light in recent episodes. In Monday night’s (20th January) episode, Anthony was led to Caleb’s car after he promised to drop him off at the depot to meet with Steph and concealing a gun behind his back. However, the soap teased fans by sharing a flashforward of Anthony’s body lay lifeless on the floor with his own blood surrounding him.

The newest villain to grace the village first appeared in 2024 as Ruby’s estranged-father who had a close bond with her daughter Steph. As Ruby and Steph’s relationship grew even more tense, Anthony meddled with the pair putting thoughts into Steph’s head that Ruby was a “fantasist” and liked to make things up.

As the week continues, there will be various murder suspects for the death of Anthony including son-in-law Caleb who became furious with Anthony after learning that he is Steph’s actual biological father. As Caleb lures Anthony to a secluded barn to confront him, does he go one step too far and end up killing him?

In light of this storyline, fans aren’t too pleased that this is how Anthony will be leaving the Dales. Taking to social media to voice their concerns, many fans discussed how they wish that the soap would have had him sent to trial and therefore sentenced instead of his murder.

On Instagram, @suzannedavs wrote: “He should have been arrested, and sent to prison for historical sex offences, not more violence! They have brought up child abuse which is a good thing, but then just ruined it!” @ginamayo1 echoed: “No this is wrong. He should be held to account. It would show that speaking out about abuse no matter how long will always bring justice!”

Taking to an Emmerdale fan group on Facebook, one user commented: “I just think it’s ridiculous how they have such an important storyline but just as it gets public, the producers take the easy way out and kill him off rather than him be caught and Ruby getting her justice.”

Another user continued: “I would like to see him taken down by the police, and face the consequences for what he did to his daughter” and a third echoed: “I hope he isn’t killed I don’t think that’s a good enough punishment. He deserves the rest of his life behind bars! Also don’t want the killer to have his death on their hands!”

However, @xrosedragonx counter argued: “I see a lot of people commenting saying that they wished he would be reprimanded for historical sex offences and Ruby will get justice, which in a perfect scenario would be amazing But unfortunately this barely ever happens in real life due to historical offences having a ‘lack of evidence’ (which I think is totally horrendous btw) so I am glad that Emmerdale have done a different outcome for such a horrid character.”

@thomassonalison also added: “Can see why they’ve killed him off. If they went to police then Steph would know that Anthony is actually her dad and they don’t want her to know.”

A similar storyline aired in 2016 when Aaron Dingle’s biological father Gordon Livesy was sentenced to prison for his historical offences of sexually abusing Aaron from the age of eight-years-old. Gordon was found guilty but took “the cowards way out” by killing himself in prison instead of facing up to his crimes.

After joining the ITV soap, actor Nicholas Day (Anthony) expressed: “I’ve been made so welcome in the Emmerdale family. And my screen family is great to work with, the scenes just fly. No kidding – I feel blessed.”

Emmerdale airs on weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.