Emmerdale Robert Sugden: Every unanswered question as Ryan Hawley reprises role

We have so many questions!(Image: ITV)

Robert Sugden’s return to Emmerdale has got everyone talking. Ryan Hawley is reprising his role on the ITV soap for what was originally hinted to be a brief stint – although it looks very different now!

Ryan was last seen on screen as Robert back in 2019, with fans devastated to see the character leave the Dales. Tonight, the fall out from Robert’s shock return – at Aaron and John’s wedding no less – airs and here’s all the questions we still need answering.

Is Robert back for good?

Robert Sugden is back for good! The Mirror exclusively revealed last night that Robert is staying in the Dales – but how that happens remains to be seen as speculation grows from fans about how he’ll be back.

He said of his return: “The secret is out today! My character is returning permanently and not just for Aaron and John’s wedding. I am back for good, and I am so excited to be playing Robert again.

Robert is back! And Aaron has a decision to make(Image: ITV)

“I have had a few calls over the past six years to see how I would feel about reprising the role, but it never felt quite right. Recently, while I was living in Brazil with my family, where we had been for the past year, Danny texted to see how I would feel.”

He added: “We’ve always kept in touch, and after a lot of thought, I told him, ‘Yeah, I am up for it. ’ I then got a call swiftly from the producers, and it went from there.”

How did Robert get out of prison?

Well – there’s the biggest question. We last saw Robert being given a minimum of 14 years without parole after killing his sister Victoria Sugden’s rapist Lee Posner and there seemed no chance he’d be back any time soon.

He was jailed back in 2019, meaning he’s currently six years into his sentence. How did he manage to get out? Tonight’s episode – already available on ITVX – reveals more about Robert’s past – but secrets are set to be revealed.

He said: “A lot of time has passed, and Robert is a different person now. He is hiding a lot of secrets, and there is a back story, which will come out in time, and that is another of the reasons why I am back.”

Is it all part of John’s nightmare?

This whole week on Emmerdale has been framed by John’s nightmares so there is speculation that Robert’s return could be part of a ‘dream’ sequence. We saw Aidan ‘interrupt’ the wedding and John fear getting arrested for Nate’s murder – but none of that happened.

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Tonight’s episode will give the answers on if Robert is all part of a nasty dream for John – but with Ryan making a permanent return, it looks like this could all be way more than a bad nightmare for John…

Will Aaron marry John?

Aaron made a bold declaration in last night’s episode where he said he didn’t want to marry John, but the pair worked it out and decided to go through with it – until Robert’s surprise arrival.

Spoilers from tonight’s episode reveals if they really go through with it and what the future might hold but Aaron is in love with John and despite us knowing all what John has done, the village is unaware of John’s dark past.\

Are Aaron and Robert going to get back together?

Here’s hoping! Robert has certainly come back with the intention to get back with Aaron.

Robert is back – but we have more questions!

Asked if there is a chance for a romantic reunion, he said: “But can Robert stop the wedding in time?! You will have to watch to find out! … He harbours feelings for Aaron. Aaron is the love of his life, and vice versa, and so he is coming back to stop a wedding he doesn’t think should be happening.”

Ryan also heaped praise on the bond between Robert and Aaron. He told us: “I am so proud of the relationship between Robert and Aaron. People really took to it, which is a massive compliment to us. It is enormous people supported it so warmly, and we are excited where it could move forward. But there are a lot of obstacles in the way… Lots of things are going to happen!”