ITV / EmmerdaleInsider Share By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 When will John come back? All the theories on his Emmerdale return John has to be back Features John Sugden John's Secret Life Share By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 John Sugden made his getaway in Emmerdale as he went on the run to France – but we all know he will make a return. In a very anticlimactic ‘end’ to John’s time in Emmerdale, Caleb Miligan, after some bumps, was successful in getting him out of the country. However, in soap fashion, we all know John Sugden will make an Emmerdale return. There has to be a huge final showdown. But when will it happen? There’s already quite a lot of theories… Fans were fuming that John escaped (Credit: ITV) John’s end in Emmerdale It’s been building for a whole year, but John Sugden was finally caught out for his crimes. In case you’ve forgotten what they were – he murdered Nate, drugged Chas while framing Ella, caused Jacob’s allergic reaction, tampered with the slurry machine and messed with Cain. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Then when he was caught, he shot Mack with a crossbow and held him in an underground bunker – while he drugged his husband and threw himself and Aaron off the gorge. But when Aaron woke up from his coma, he was quick to tell everyone the truth. And soon, a search for John commenced. However, John – who was lurking around the village – headed to see Caleb and blackmailed him into getting him out of the country. While Cain tried to stop him, in the end Caleb was successful and in return, John told him where Anthony’s body is. We all know that’s not really the end of him – so when will he be back? John would never let Robron be happy (Credit: ITV) 1. Whenever Robron reunite One popular theory is that John Sugden will return to Emmerdale as soon as Robert and Aaron get back together. Since John’s now out of the way, we can start to hope that our beloved Robron will finally be headed in the right direction. But John’s obsessed with Aaron and obsessed with turning everyone against Robert. So could he really let them get their happy ever after? Taking to social media, one fan theorised: “So John’s going to be keeping tabs on the village and will return as soon as he hears Robron have gotten back together.” Final showdown at Christmas is predicted (Credit: ITV) 2. Christmas Day Another huge theory is that he will make his unwanted return on Christmas Day. Every year, something always happens at Christmas. It’s very rare we get a quiet festive season in the Dales. So why not let John ruin they joy for everyone? For a while, a lot of fans predicted the storyline would run until Christmas anyway, they all just imagined John would still be on our screens. So, perhaps one final Christmas showdown is really coming… John might return for the start of 2026 (Credit: ITV) 3. New Year If not Christmas then it could always be New Year. If John wanted to come back and be with Aaron, with the way his mind works he could think returning to Emmerdale at the beginning of a new year may actually mean a clean slate. Of course, it won’t go down in his favour as let’s face it, the second he returns to Emmerdale, he will have a LOT of people after him. One fan wrote: “I actually think it will be New Year. Either on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. He will be back.” Perhaps he is part of the cross-over (Credit: ITV) 4. The Coronation Street cross-over episode Now, this one would be a bit harder as actor Oliver Farnworth has already appeared in Coronation Street. Actually, his storyline was quite similar to the one in Emmerdale – the roles were just flipped. But we know it’s been teased that a lot of storylines are leading up to huge cross-over episode that will mark the start of ITV’s soap power-hour. So, perhaps John’s return will be a cause for destruction in both soaps. A viewer penned: “Not sure how, but I think John will be back in the cross-over episode.” Or maybe Cain gets to him soon (Credit: ITV) 5. Much sooner… Of course, there is always a chance that John will actually appear on our screens much sooner. Maybe he has gone to France and realised he’s not finished in Emmerdale and so he returns. Or maybe Cain actually went in search for him and is successful. “I just have a feeling that John will be back sooner rather than later. They’re making us think he’s gone for a while, but he won’t be” a fan wrote online. Fans were desperate for the storyline to come to an end. And even though it technically has for now – they won’t be happy until the door for a return has been shut permanently. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales Share Good to Know Share By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 By Rebecca Sayers Sep 26 2025 Previous Story Next Story
