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Emmerdale draws unsuspecting villager into John Sugden plot in ITVX cliffhanger

We're edging closer to John's downfall.

John looking caught off-guard in Emmerdale

ITV

Published: Wednesday, 23 July 2025 at 11:07 am

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**Contains spoilers for Wednesday's Emmerdale episode (23rd July), currently available to stream on ITVX.**

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Another oblivious villager has been drawn into John Sugden's (Oliver Farnworth) dark Emmerdale storyline, as he grapples with guilt over his crimes.

After framing dead Owen Michaels (Simon Haines) for his own killing of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter), John hoped that Nate's grief-stricken father Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) would find closure.

But when John paid Cain a visit in Wednesday's (23rd July 2025), he was left kicking himself as Cain was in a worse state than before the news about Owen.

John rather short-sightedly assumed that his fake confession's detailed description of how Owen came to 'murder' Nate would be enough to help.

John looking menacingly at Owen in Emmerdale

John with Owen before his death. ITV

With Owen having been a patient of Liam Cavanagh's (Jonny McPherson), Cain fixated on this, losing his temper when Liam told him he wouldn't break patient confidentiality.

Later, Liam explained to John the devastation that comes with losing a child, and John became overwhelmed that his latest actions had robbed Cain of getting justice for Nate.

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In turmoil, John reached out to a helpline again, but this coincides with Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) working on a helpline as he heals from his recent trauma over the dog attack.

With John speaking to a volunteer via web chat, he was offered a phone call instead.

You'll have to tune in via ITVX, or at 7:30pm on ITV1, for what happens next, but you've probably already guessed that Paddy's new role is no coincidence.

Robert looking uneasy in front of Aaron and John in Emmerdale

Robert doesn't trust John. ITV

If Paddy finds himself on the other end of a call with John, will he recognise his voice?

Meanwhile, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) continued to find Owen's 'confession' odd, showing an interest due to Owen having recently spiked him on a date.

Robert had a distraction when he met with a desperate Kim Tate (Claire King), riling her by not signing over grandmother Annie's (Sheila Mercier) field.

But with Robert soon having new cause to suspect half-brother John, just how close will he get to the truth?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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Authors

Laura Denby in front a white background, she is smiling and looking at the camera

Laura DenbyFreelance Writer

Laura Denby is a Freelance Soaps writer covering all the latest news in the Dales, Cobbles and East End for Radio Times. She's a soaps nerd with a love for comedy drama, and has also written for Digital Spy, Metro UK and Yahoo UK.

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