Emmerdale’s 7 Loose Ends That Suggest John Sugden Will Return
John Sugden’s dramatic exit on Emmerdale may have looked final, but soap history tells us villains rarely stay gone for long. After escaping justice by sneaking out of the country in the back of a lorry, John left behind chaos, trauma, and a trail of unfinished business.
Could this really be the last we see of him — or do these lingering loose ends hint at his inevitable comeback?
1. Mackenzie’s Revenge
Few suffered more at John’s hands than Mackenzie, who endured terrifying days locked in the bunker. Even if John ultimately “rescued” him, the torment Mack endured demands payback. Mack was the first to suspect John’s true nature — surely he deserves his moment of retribution.
2. Aaron’s Lack of Closure
Aaron Miller gave John his trust, only to discover his husband was a fraud. While Aaron did confront him, the showdown was stifled by circumstance — standing on a cliff edge meant he couldn’t unleash the fury he’d bottled up for months. Fans are still waiting for Aaron to deliver the cutting words John truly deserves.
3. Justice for Nate
John murdered Nate Robinson, leaving Cain devastated and the Dingle family without closure. While Cain nearly pulled the trigger during their final face-off, John ultimately escaped. Nate, Tracy, and little Frankie have yet to see justice served — and Cain’s grief could easily turn into a vendetta if John dares to resurface.
4. Moira’s Farm Disaster
The slurry leak that poisoned young Harry and nearly bankrupted Moira’s farm has gone strangely quiet on-screen. With John revealed as the culprit, shouldn’t Moira get her chance to confront him? Her livelihood — and her family’s survival — was nearly destroyed by his actions. A reckoning feels overdue.
5. Aidan’s Forgotten Fate
John’s ex, Aidan, ended up comatose after John’s twisted jealousy and tampering with medication. Aidan briefly awoke before John and Aaron’s wedding, only to collapse back into a coma. His tragic state remains unresolved — and given his history with John, his recovery could re-ignite old secrets and provide Aaron with an unexpected ally.
6. Ella’s Vindication
Ella, Liam’s former partner, was one of John’s scapegoats when he needed someone to frame. With her troubled past, she made an easy target, but her name was dragged unfairly through the mud. To date, no one has cleared her of John’s manipulations. If John returns, Ella could finally get the justice she deserves.
7. Robert’s Unfinished Business
John’s obsession with destroying his brother Robert Sugden drove much of his villainy. From worsening Robert’s PTSD to gaslighting him into doubt, John’s campaign left lasting scars. While Robert eventually walked free, his “victory” over John felt hollow. If John were to return, a true showdown between the brothers could bring satisfying closure.
Final Thoughts
For now, John has slipped away to Rotterdam, but in soapland, villains who escape prison or death are rarely gone for good. With so many storylines unresolved — from Nate’s murder to Aaron’s heartbreak — his shadow still looms large over the Dales.
When the time is right, John Sugden’s return could ignite one of the most explosive chapters in Emmerdale history.