Is Ruby’s dad the most vile Emmerdale character ever? Here's all the evidence

He’s only recently arrived in Emmerdale, but Ruby’s dad is already proving to be a controversial figure – just ask his daughter. Anthony Fox made his debut last month, popping up to torment his estranged daughter and son-in-law… and he’s already at home in the village.

Ruby was mortified at the sight or her dad, leading to fan speculation that there’s a terrible secret lurking in his past. Whatever Anthony may have done to his daughter (and viewers have their ideas about that too), he’s quickly emerged as one of the soap’s most disliked figures.

Here’s a run-down of all Anthony’s bad behaviour so far.

Caleb and Anthony have a tense conversation on Emmerdale — Caleb didn’t take too kindly to Anthony’s probing (Credit: ITV)

Ruby’s dad on Emmerdale: Village snoop

This week’s episodes saw Anthony learn about Caleb’s affair with Tracy. Demanding answers, he confronted Caleb on Tuesday night (December 10) – only for Caleb to threaten to ‘smash his teeth down his throat’ if he didn’t back off.

His meddling continued afterwards as he questioned Ruby, wanting to know how she could stand for cheating Caleb.

“Please Caleb can you smash his teeth down his throat,” laughed one fan.

He snapped at Ruby

It was during his conversation with Ruby that viewers caught a glimpse of the real Anthony. As Ruby went to leave, Anthony snapped, telling her to sit down. Known firebrand Ruby was surprisingly compliant – suggesting that there might be to rumours of abuse.

“Anthony showing his true colours to Ruby!!!” noted one shocked fan.

“Ruby’s dad showing his nasty side to Ruby again,” said another.

Anthony looking comfortable in the cafe on Emmerdale — Anthony’s clearly hiding something (Credit: ITV)

What is Ruby’s dad hiding on Emmerdale?

Ruby’s reaction to her dad – a shell-shocked look on her face – suggests there might be truth to rumours of childhood abuse. Indeed, many think that Anthony sexually abused Ruby as a child – and may even be Steph’s ‘real’ father.

This resulted in a panic attack last week, as Ruby was forced to make nice with Anthony in front of Steph and Caleb. But how long before someone takes notice?

“I think the real reason that Ruby does not want to be around her father has more to with him not standing up for her against her mother when she was a child. Because of the scene with the hyperventilating, I think he’s sexually abused her as a child,” wrote one fan.

“I’ve got an awful sickening theory about Ruby and her dad in #Emmerdale. He mentioned someone called Rob possibly being Steph’s dad but what if her dad was abusing her and he’s actually the father and that’s why she can’t bear to be around him,” said another.

Anthony standing behind Steph as they talk on Emmerdale — Anthony recently revealed that he has cancer (Credit: ITV)

He could be lying about his cancer

Another popular fan theory is that Anthony is lying about his cancer. He recently won grandaughter Steph on side by telling her that he had been diagnosed with cancer. However, some viewers think that he’s not being entirely honest about this either…

“He’s going to pretend to have cancer so he isn’t so hated on when it’s revealed that he’s Steph’s dad,” one fan theorised.

He’s manipulative

Between his following Steph into the village and using her to force a relationship with Ruby, Anthony is clearly manipulating his doting granddaughter for his own ends.

Last week, he told her that he planned on leaving the village if he couldn’t reconcile with Ruby. Lo and behold, days later, and Steph had forced her mum into letting Anthony in – essentially telling her that she’d be leaving too, if Anthony did.

Anthony talking to Ruby on Emmerdale — He gives us the creeps too (Credit: ITV)

He’s just plain creepy

Whatever Anthony may or may not have done (and our money’s on it being something terrible), Anthony is also… well, he’s a creep. If any further evidence is required, just look at that sneering face hogging the camera yesterday.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFPiLYKqBP4?si=TsBZ_3EqIITZPk2L]

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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