In Emmerdale John Sugden has looked suspicious for months, and many now fear he is the one who k!lled Nate. But eagle-eyed viewers point out one detail that may throw that theory away.

When John arrived fans quickly theorised he wasn’t who he said he was. And many believed he had even k!lled before. Then when he was a master at covering up Anthony’s murder, this was heightened. But the biggest piece of all was when it was revealed Nate’s body was in the lake.

However, despite fans being certain that John was the one who k!lled Nate, they couldn’t help but notice a detail that hints maybe he actually isn’t the murderer.
Fans point out plot hole (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale John wouldn’t know key detail

Last night (February 15) Tracy tried to celebrate little Frankie’s birthday. But with Vanessa mourning Suzy it was a struggle. All Tracy wanted was for Nate to call and say happy birthday to his daughter – but we all know this could never happen.

But in an unexpected twist Nate seemingly did wish his daughter a happy birthday, in the form of a note attached to a delivered present. Cain and Tracy both were confused by the gift, as neither had heard from him since he seemingly left the village.

Now, viewers are well aware that it could not have been Nate who sent the gift as his body is currently sinking under the lake. So naturally, John became number one suspect in fans’ minds. However, the question is, how would John know Frankie’s birthday?

John has never shared a scene with Frankie. And he has no friendship with Tracy. So viewers are confused as to why he would know this key detail.

Writing on a Reddit thread, one viewer pointed this plot hole out. They said: “My question is would John, who some of us currently think k!lled Nate, really know the date of Frankie’s birthday? Would Tracy have told him? And would he have felt the need to as someone? Surely the person who k!lled Nate is someone who knows the date and were able to order a gift to arrive in time?”

Another backed this up, adding: “I doubt John would know Frankie’s birthday. And it would be a bit suspect to ask Aaron.”
Nate was revealed to be the body in the lake (Credit: ITV)

Fans wonder if Caleb was the murderer

Many agreed, pointing out this helps Caleb look like the guilty party. One user commented: “Caleb would know. He is her great uncle and had a considerably long affair with her mum.”

However, others refused to get off the John is guilty train and came up with reasons as to how he would know.

One pointed out: “The k!ller obviously has hold of Nate’s phone. It’s possible that Nate had saved Frankie’s birthday as a reminder. That could be how the k!ller knew.”

Or a more sinister theory was that John was abusing his job privileges. They wrote: “I thought John worked at the doctors surgery. He would be able to access her files. And he has Nate’s phone.”

Whatever way the k!ller knew, fans seem to be undecided as to whether it was John or Caleb that put Nate in a watery grave.