Emmerdale has stunned fans once more with a new twist revealed early on ITVX — proving the week’s chaos in the Dales is far from over. Just days after April’s harrowing nightmare and Callum’s unexpected return from the dead, Thursday’s early-access episode threw another emotional bombshell into the mix, this time involving Robert Sugden and Kevin Townsend.

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Robert’s Torn Heart and Aaron’s Risky Plan

Viewers have watched Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) return to the village after his release from prison, stepping back into a world still haunted by old flames and unresolved guilt. His first act was attending Aaron Dingle’s (Danny Miller) wedding to John Sugden — a ceremony he tried and failed to stop. But the shock revelation that Robert had secretly married fellow inmate Kevin Townsend (Chris Coghill) soon changed everything.

When Kev appeared in Emmerdale, the truth spilled out: the two had met and married behind bars, and Kev was now allegedly living with a terminal heart condition. The revelation tore open Robert’s emotional scars just as Aaron re-entered his life.

In this week’s dramatic scenes, Aaron confessed his enduring love and shared a passionate kiss with Robert. Overwhelmed, Robert promised to call off his vow renewal to be with Aaron again. But fate — or perhaps guilt — had other plans.

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The Vow Renewal with a Secret Deal

Moments before Robert could tell Kev the truth, Dr Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) arrived with devastating news: Kev had suffered another heart scare and was rushed to hospital. A shaken Kev later called Robert, insisting he’d recover in time to reach the church. Moved by pity, Robert agreed to go through with the ceremony.

Aaron, torn between love and compassion, proposed a shocking compromise. “He’s dying, Rob. Don’t break him,” Aaron pleaded. His plan? Let Robert marry Kev — but continue their secret affair in the background so Kev could spend his final months happy and unaware.

Robert reluctantly agreed. The ceremony went ahead, filled with tender glances, hidden guilt, and a lie that could only last so long.

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Kev’s Fatal Lie Exposed

But the calm didn’t last. During the post-ceremony celebration, Dr Liam quietly confronted Kev, revealing he’d looked deeper into his medical files — and discovered Kev isn’t dying at all.

Though Liam didn’t expose the exact details, his expression said it all: Kev had fabricated his illness. Whether out of obsession, fear, or a twisted need to keep Robert tied to him, the truth shattered everything we thought we knew.

Kev, cornered, warned Liam to keep quiet, invoking doctor–patient confidentiality to protect his secret. Now, Liam faces a moral crossroads — keep silent or tell Robert the truth and risk chaos.

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What Happens Next?

With Robert unknowingly married to a man who deceived him, and Aaron complicit in the cover-up, the fallout is guaranteed to be explosive. When Robert learns he’s been manipulated yet again, the consequences could destroy all three men — and tear apart the fragile peace between the Sugdens and Dingles.