ITV Emmerdale fans overwhelmed as John Sugden finally shows 'true colours'

It's been just eight months since actor Oliver Farnworth showed up on screens, after his arrival in the picture-perfect Yorkshire Dales last summer as John Sugden. He'd announced he was half-brother to Victoria Sugden (played by Isabel Hodgins), who's been a regular on the soap for almost 20 years.

However, fans are becoming increasingly suspicious about the character, demanding to know whether he is really who he says he is - and their suspicions are set to be proved correct in dramatic footage airing next week. Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw confirmed that a series of flashbacks will be shown from John's perspective, allowing viewers to "get inside" his mind and discover his "true colours". Taking to , one viewer marvelled: "I've been waiting for this for a long time.

"It's been obvious that John has been hiding who he truly is, and Oliver Farnworth has done such an incredible job withholding John's true identity whilst teasing elements of his past and manipulating those around him. "

Meanwhile, John's whirlwind romance and engagement to Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) had also aroused the eagle-eyed viewer's suspicion - although Aaron's family seem oblivious onscreen.

Another Reddit user shrugged: "I still find it incredulous that the Dingles in particular just welcomed him in, no questions asked, and that Aaron's radar didn't go off. You'd think after everything he's been through, he'd smell a rat, but he's not thinking with his head.....

"I'm looking forward to knowing what's really going on with those dog tags. Are they a souvenir from a murder? Where is Anthony really buried?" The devoted fan was referring to the military tags fans have seen in John's possession bearing the name of Aidan Moore - a "colleague" of his from the army who died after a bomb detonated.

John has already confided in lover Aaron about the immense guilt he feels over the loss of his comrade - but fans are convinced that he might actually be Aidan himself, and that his identity as John could be stolen.

Fans have also wondered whether John - who can do no wrong in Aaron's eyes - might be a secret serial killer who is responsible for the death of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter), after his body was found in a lake.

Meanwhile, Chas Dingle (played by Lucy Pargeter) died after an alleged "overdose" of drugs - but could that death prove to be suspicious too as rumours spread of a spiking?

The aforementioned Reddit user mused: "Did [John] have a hand in Chas' poisoning, and is he responsible for Nate's death? Yes, I know the timeline's don't add up, but something's off there..."

"Can't wait - I keep saying there's something up with John, man gives off vibes, he's done some things that are bad and is just using the village to hide away," chimed in another.

A third added: "We'll finally find out the truth. It's so confusing trying to figure it out. I keep thinking he's not the real John Sugden and he stole the real one's identity for a new start but If he's not the real one then why did he go to Barbara's funeral (real John Sugden's mother)?

"He could have just skipped town with his new identity unless there is someone (friend, stepfather, step brother/sister) who could have reported him as missing had John skipped his mother's funeral."

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw has promised all will make sense soon, confirming: "As his clandestine acts are revealed, the audience has an opportunity to really get inside John's mind and to finally understand exactly what this mysterious character is really about."

The next episode of airs on ITV on Tuesday April 8 at 7:30pm.