Emmerdale has never been shy of jaw-dropping storylines, but the latest revelation has left viewers stunned, cast members shaken, and fans across the nation buzzing with theories.

At the heart of this explosive twist lies a shocking three-word bombshell connected to John Sugden’s reign of terror and the hidden crimes that continue to haunt the Dingle clan.

In an exclusive conversation at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday, September 29th, actress Beth Cordingley—who plays Ruby Fox-Milligan—opened up about her character’s dark past and

its chilling connection to John Sugden’s storyline. What she revealed sent shockwaves through fans who thought they’d seen it all. “I didn’t know,” Beth admitted with disarming honesty. Three words—simple, raw, and revealing—yet they carry monumental weight. She confessed she had no idea when she filmed Ruby’s shocking act, the murder of her abusive father Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day), that this moment would later fuel one of Emmerdale’s most terrifying arcs.

The Murder That Wouldn’t Stay Buried

For long-time fans, Anthony Fox’s murder is a storyline they’ll never forget. Ruby, trapped in an abusive relationship with her father, reached a breaking point and killed him in a harrowing scene that tested both the actress and her character. Speaking candidly, Beth revealed how stressful it was to film such a chilling moment.

“It was quite stressful. I’ve never killed anyone before—obviously—so I had to channel it into something I could understand. I thought about the way you kill a spider, the mixture of fear and rage, and I used that to capture Ruby’s emotions,” she explained.

What was meant to be a buried secret returned to haunt Ruby, Caleb Milligan (Will Ash), and the rest of the Dingle clan when John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) uncovered the truth. Believing Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) had been responsible for Anthony’s death, John initially helped dispose of the body. But when Aaron later confessed to his mother Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Ruby revealed her part, the weight of the truth rippled through the family.

This revelation gave John leverage—power he wielded mercilessly.

John Sugden’s Rampage

John Sugden has become one of Emmerdale’s most chilling antagonists in years. His reign of terror not only exposed the fragile unity of the Dingles but also left a trail of destruction that the village is still recovering from.

Viewers will recall the shocking moment John admitted to Caleb and Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) that he was responsible for the murder of Cain’s son, Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter). But John wasn’t done there—he threatened to reveal the location of Anthony Fox’s body, a revelation that could send multiple members of the Dingle clan to prison.

Cain’s fury was palpable when Caleb struck a deal with John, allowing him to walk free in exchange for information about where the body was buried. In a move dripping with tension, Caleb relocated the body to a secret location known only to him, further deepening the web of deceit and mistrust within the family.

When asked if the storyline surrounding Anthony’s body was finally over, Beth laughed nervously and said: “I very much hope so.” Yet, as fans of the soap know, secrets never stay buried in Emmerdale for long.

A Villain Unlike Any Other

John Sugden’s story has been marked by a series of cruel and calculated attacks, proving him to be one of the soap’s most sadistic villains. His actions included drugging Chas, smashing a brick through the Woolpack window, and tormenting both her and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson). But his cruelty didn’t stop there.

John also manipulated Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) into a near-death experience by deliberately spiking his coffee with almond milk, knowing full well about his nut allergy. After Jacob went into anaphylactic shock, John staged himself as the “hero” who stepped in to save him, twisting the narrative to gain trust and sympathy.

In another disturbing turn, John attacked Liam, mistaking him for Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb), before ultimately holding Mack hostage in a bunker for weeks. These twisted mind games cemented John’s role as a master manipulator and a truly terrifying presence in the village.

The Emotional Fallout

For Ruby, the storyline has become a haunting reminder of her past actions. Though Anthony’s death was driven by years of abuse, the secret now hangs over her family like a storm cloud. For Beth Cordingley, playing out these emotions has been both rewarding and emotionally draining.

“You never know that much in advance,” she said, explaining the unpredictable nature of soap storylines. “But you always know they’re storing things up, and at some point, a character will hold it over you. The writers think far ahead, and when it comes back, it’s even more powerful.”

This is the essence of Emmerdale: secrets resurface, and past sins always return to torment those who thought they had escaped.

Can the Dingles Survive?

The Dingle family has weathered countless storms, but this storyline threatens to tear them apart from within. Caleb’s decision to let John go in exchange for the body’s location has already caused irreparable tension with Cain. With trust shattered and the truth dangling like a sword over their heads, it’s only a matter of time before this secret destroys them all.

And then there’s John—still at large, unpredictable, and more dangerous than ever. Though viewers saw him vanish into the shadows, his return feels inevitable. If he resurfaces, he could expose the body, destroy the Dingles, and perhaps exact further revenge on those he blames for his downfall.

Fan Reaction

Fans of Emmerdale have taken to social media to voice their shock, fear, and frustration over the storyline. Many praised the writing for its intricate layers, while others admitted they were terrified by John’s villainy.

One fan tweeted: “John Sugden might be the most twisted villain Emmerdale has ever had. He makes me nervous just watching him.”

Another wrote: “I can’t believe how Ruby’s past is tied into all of this. It’s brilliant but heartbreaking at the same time. The Dingles are falling apart.”

Some fans, however, are hoping for justice, with one commenting: “If John comes back, I want Cain to be the one who takes him down once and for all.”

The Future of Ruby and the Dingles

For now, Ruby can breathe a sigh of relief. With the body moved and John temporarily out of the picture, her family’s darkest secret is safe—at least for the moment. But in true Emmerdale fashion, fans know it’s only a matter of time before this secret re-emerges, threatening to destroy everything.

As Beth Cordingley summed it up: “For the time being, Ruby can relax knowing no one can hold the killing over her family. But John is still out there—and that means trouble could come back at any time.”

Final Thoughts

The intertwining of Ruby’s past crime with John Sugden’s violent rampage has created one of the most gripping storylines in Emmerdale history. With shocking revelations, tragic confessions, and characters pushed to their emotional limits, this arc has cemented itself as a defining moment for the soap.

Whether John returns to wreak further havoc or the Dingle family implodes under the weight of their own secrets, one thing is certain: Emmerdale has once again proven its ability to shock, devastate, and captivate audiences in equal measure.