Emmerdale fans are convinced that John Sugden has a hidden lover after a series of chilling flashbacks aired on Thursday (April 10).
John first arrived in the village back in August 2024 and was soon identified as Victoria Sugden's half-brother through their shared father.
However, audiences began to eye the mysterious newcomer with scepticism, despite the assistance he has provided to several locals.
Last week, show bosses revealed that upcoming flashbacks would explore the darker sides of John's persona, exposing the "big secrets" that he has concealed from his family and friends.
Earlier this week, John was seen damaging an unattended vehicle in a scrap yard, and later paid a visit to an unknown man in a hospital bed, reports Leeds Live.
"You and me, what are we gonna do? Or what am I gonna have to do?" John whispered before the credits started rolling.
In tonight's extended episode, the soap broadcast numerous flashbacks, one of which verified that John was, in fact, responsible for Nate Robinson's death.
Following the barn fire last year, John rescued Nate and administered an emergency injection in an effort to save him. However, Nate had an adverse reaction to the drug and tragically died.
After discovering Nate's lifeless body, John transported it to the bridge and chillingly disposed of the concealed corpse in the lake where the limo crash took place.
Another flashback proved Ella Forster's innocence as it was revealed that John had secretly drugged Chas Dingle. He also masqueraded as Liam Cavanagh in an email and hurled a brick through The Woolpack's window.
Meanwhile, in the present day, John deliberately caused Jacob Gallagher to go into anaphylactic shock, only to play the hero by swiftly administering his EpiPen.
As soap fans grapple with this web of deceit, speculation is rife that the unidentified hospital patient could have far-reaching implications for the village.
A popular theory among viewers is that the mystery man is actually the real John Sugden. Now, they are suspecting that he might be "fake" John's secret lover.
"The John Smith guy in the bed, it's John. The real John. And fake John must be his mate Aiden playing pretend John with real John's family. Starting from there, I have a somewhat far-fetched theory, bear with me: John loves John," one person wrote on Reddit.
"I mean, obviously John loves himself - gotta be a bit narcissistic to have a hero complex - but why would real John be in the local hospital if not for fake John to have made him come home in a coma, to have him close by? So yeah, when John joined John last night, it suddenly made sense. John's in love with John."
Another viewer chimed in, suggesting: "Maybe the one in the bed didn't love him back or was abused by John in the relationship."
Meanwhile, a third fan had an opposing theory, saying: "I think that John in the bed was injured by somebody from the Dingle clan. All the saves John has made revolve around them. Moira, Ruby, Nate, Aaron, Chas. I guess Jacob is an anomaly, but John only really caused that whole thing to get at Liam?"
They added: "Maybe the Dingles have a target on their back because of something they did to hospital John? Potentially something tied with Robert? Who knows!"
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and is available to stream from 7am on ITVX
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