John Sugden is keeping secrets in Emmerdale, including the truth about Anthony, and we all know in Soapland secrets will be exposed sooner or later. And while we know some of what John is hiding, do we yet know everything?

Earlier this week the Miligans started to suspect Anthony wasn’t d3ad after all. John’s story was called into question and it was revealed he hadn’t buried the body where he said he had. So where is it? And is there even a body at all?

Well, as John’s behaviour continues to be more erratic, tonight he made a remark to Aaron that got us thinking. Was this a hint that Anthony isn’t actually d3ad?
The murder club are suspicious of John (Credit: ITV)

Anthony murder cover-up

After Aaron thought he’d k!lled abuser Anthony, John took charge, sent Aaron away and dealt with the body. Then it was later revealed Ruby had in fact finished the job Aaron had started, so Aaron, John, Ruby and Caleb were all in this together. Cain, Chas and Steph are also in on the secret, but the murder club are struggling to stay loyal to each other and keep their secrets.

On Monday (April 14) Steph was reeling after receiving flowers from Anthony. In fact they’d been sent by Jai in a cruel prank, but Steph didn’t know that and went to the woods to dig up his body. She wanted proof he was definitely d3ad.

However, when Caleb, Ruby, John and Aaron turned up, she was adamant her grandad was not buried there as the ground hadn’t been disturbed. Ruby quickly realised she was right and all eyes turned to John. He admitted Anthony was not there and he had lied. John then refused to admit where Anthony was really buried, claiming he was protecting them all.
Anthony’s d3ad – but we’ve only got John’s word for it (Credit: ITV)

Clues John Sugden saved Anthony in Emmerdale

We found out last week that John has something that is likely hero syndrome. It’s when he takes people to the brink of d3ath to then save their lives and be hailed a hero. Sometimes it goes wrong though, in the case of Aidan Moore and Nate Robinson.

Many fans believe he saved Anthony and is keeping his hostage somewhere. To be able to control the narrative, John may have fake buried him in the woods, hoping everyone would just believe him.

Taking to a Reddit thread, fans discussed the potential storyline. One wrote: “Given that John or whoever he is seems to be suffering from Hero Syndrome, dare I suggest the biggest twist. Ruby believes she k!lled her dad and everyone thinks John disposed of the body. But could it be that John used his medical skills to help Anthony recover?”

Another backed it up, adding more reasons why it seems plausible. They said: “There are good reasons. If Anthony were d3ad then both Aaron and Ruby would implicated and potentially sent to jail. And I can’t see either of their characters being sacked anytime soon.”

If Anthony is alive, then Emmerdale is about to reveal that John may be much more sinister than anyone realises.
John admitted to Aaron he’s got control issues (Credit: ITV)

Another hint dropped by John Sugden that Anthony is not d3ad in Emmerdale?

In Wednesday’s episode (April 16), John opened up a little to Aaron. It came after he had lost it when Aaron took control of booking their wedding without consulting him.

John apologised to his fiancé and talked about his control issues. He said: “I feel like I never measure up. I feel a bit of a failure. That’s why I keep everyone at arm’s length because the only way I can handle my feelings is be being in control. It’s the only way I can function.”

His next statement got us thinking: “One unkind word, just one, and I can feel myself spiralling and then I have to control it, put it right, prove myself, go above and beyond, fix it.”

Aaron responded: “But you don’t need to fix anything for me, we’re supposed to be a team.”

Was this scene the most telling moment yet for John? Did he try to ‘fix it’ for Aaron by making sure his lover was not a murderer and saving Anthony’s life? This would have ‘put it right’, that’s for sure.

Was he trying to ‘prove himself’ worthy of Aaron’s love? Could he have saved Anthony to save Aaron?

Actor Oliver Farnworth has teased there is more to be discovered about John, so is this the next secret to be revealed? Or is Anthony truly d3ad and his body just elsewhere?