When Emmerdale bosses revealed they were expanding the Sugdens last summer with the introduction of Jack’s secret son John, fans were thrilled.

The original farming family have been diminished over the years. Viewers are forever hopeful to see the return of brothers Andy and Robert to strengthen the Sugdens, but a new sibling felt like the soap might be investing in the future of the family.

However, John Sugden has been setting off alarm bells from day one with his strange behaviour and secret keeping.

We’re more certain than ever that he’s a big villain in waiting and if you’re not convinced, we’ve laid out some of the reasons why we’re suspicious…

1. His lone-wolf identity

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There’s no shortage of soap characters who arrive aloof and mysterious, unwilling to open up – and John was secretive from the get-go.

Aggressive and cold, John shut down any attempts to get to know Victoria and Sarah, his last remaining family in the village, and wanted to get away from Emmerdale fast.

John’s frosty manner, and determination to live out of his van, made him stand out as suspicious immediately. While he’s become slightly more amiable, we’d still describe his demeanour as icy…

2. Keeping Aidan Moore’s army tags

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When John quickly hid a pair of dog tags with the name “Aidan Moore” from his sister, fans were abuzz with theories about who this mysterious Aidan was and why John had the tags.

One of the most popular theories pondered whether John was the real Aidan Moore and was lying about being a Sugden. Another suggested John had k!lled Aidan and snatched the tags.

In later scenes, after getting furious with Vic snooping, John explained how Aidan was a friend he had lost in the army.

But when opening up to Aaron, John had a slightly different story, claiming that Aidan was his lover. Is John merely protective over his past because Aidan meant so much to him? Or is this all a big cover up?

3. Saving Aaron’s life

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Until recently, John’s romance with Aaron has been one of lust and very few words.

It seems like the pair hadn’t said much to each other at all, because when Ross Barton’s return unearthed Aaron’s emotions about ex-husband Robert and their period of married life raising Robert’s son Seb, John was shocked – and seething!

After eavesdropping, John finally confronted Aaron about it and made a bitter, barbed comment about Robert. John’s remarks about his estranged brother put him and Aaron on the rocks – until a very convenient bit of heroics!

John happened to be there in the right place at the right time and saved Aaron’s life at an illegal boxing match, pushing Aaron to look to the future with John and leave Robert and Seb in the past. Was John’s life-saving a spot of luck or something more sinister?

4. Secretly becoming a police informant

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Another twist in the tale that had fans reeling was the moment John was revealed to be feeding the police information about the underground fights Billy, Mack and Aaron were mixed up in.

It’s possible that this move was to show John wanted the fights shut down to protect Aaron, but this duplicitous act proves John is perfectly capable of lying with a straight face and slipping into a role.

5. The last person to see Nate alive

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Nate’s very abrupt exit from Emmerdale had us all in disbelief that he’d really made it to Shetland, but now we’ve had it confirmed that poor Nate’s body is at the bottom of a lake, John’s prime suspect number one.

Not only was John the last person to see Nate alive, he acted very shifty when Tracy approached his van, staring robotically inside the vehicle and shutting it up before she could get too close.

Was John hiding Nate’s body inside? Fans have also pointed out that Nate’s corpse was wrapped in the same plastic tarpaulin that John disposed Anthony’s body in too. But if John did k!ll Nate, his motives remain a mystery!

Related: Emmerdale star Jurell Carter breaks silence on new role and Nate’s d3ath

6. The expert disposal of Anthony’s body

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When Aaron was convinced he’d murdered Anthony, John skilfully helped him dispose of the body without so much as a blink. He claimed his army training had prepared him for dealing with the d3ad, but we’d be surprised if the army taught him how to clean up a crime scene and destroy evidence!

John’s cool and calm demeanour might have been army training but the controlling and manipulative way he dealt with Aaron’s emotions afterwards left fans feeling concerned.

The murder cover-up brought the couple closer than ever but in grim circumstances that made John look like a seasoned pro in the art of k!ller cover-ups…

7. Keeping secrets over the burial location

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If John’s disposal of Anthony’s body didn’t raise an eyebrow, then his insistence that the burial location remained secret did. John refused to divulge this critical information for months, until taking all those involved in the cover-up to a wooded location and a fallen trunk to prove he could be trusted.

John’s reasons for keeping it secret seemed very vague and shady and even his reveal of the burial site left fans wondering if he was actually telling the truth or if Anthony had met a watery grave like Nate.

8. A rushed proposal

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John’s proved he’s the all-round action hero, saving Aaron’s life, covering up a murder for him, so perhaps this is why Aaron accepted his marriage proposal even though they’ve been official for less than six months. But even Aaron’s mum Chas is suspicious of John, worried Aaron feels obliged rather than head over heels.

Aaron and John’s stilted romance hardly seems love’s young dream and the last couple we watched speed towards a big commitment was Belle and Tom, so maybe John’s intentions aren’t as honourable as he professes.

9. Coming to Chas’s rescue

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If there’s one big pattern emerging when it comes to John, is that he loves to save a life when his reputation is under question. So it’s hardly surprising that John is our lead suspect when it comes to Chas’s collapse.

Not only was John simmering when he realised how little Chas liked her future son in law, but he made it very clear he wanted to return to the pub to see her – despite Victoria warning him not to.

Lo and behold John arrived in the nick of time to be Chas’s hero after her overdose. Ella might be getting all the heat but John’s plan worked perfectly, making Chas his number one fan. Even if no-one in the village has him clocked, John is on everyone’s radar at home…