Composite image of Anthony and John on Emmerdale; Anthony looks scared, John brooding (Credit: ITV/Composite: EI)

A new Emmerdale fan theory has predicted that Anthony is alive – and that John Sugden is keeping him locked up somewhere. This came as he finally showed Aaron, Chas and the others where he’d stashed the old man’s body.

With Chas threatening to go to the police, John decided to reassure them that he could be trusted by taking the cover-up committee to Anthony’s final resting place.

John in the woods with Aaron, Chas, Cain, Caleb and Ruby on Emmerdale, standing over Anthony's grave
John took control of the situation (Credit: ITV)

John revealed Anthony’s grave on Emmerdale last night

Out in the woods, John revealed where he’d hidden the body – beneath a tree trunk in the ice and snow. Chas and the others seemed satisfied, and she put her plan to go to the police on the back-burner. Once everyone else had cleared off, Ruby paid her dad a visit, breaking down as she stood over his makeshift grave.

But is that really Anthony under there? A growing number of viewers are convinced that Anthony’s body isn’t actually where John says it is.

John and Aaron figure out how to deal with Anthony's body in Emmerdale
We only have John’s word that Anthony’s dead and buried (Credit: ITV)

Anthony alive as John Sugden’s captive, Emmerdale fans predict

Writing on X as last night’s episode aired, a number of fans shared their theories as to what John was up to. And many wondered if Anthony‘s body was buried there after all – or if he’s even dead.

“Part of me thinks that John has Anthony locked up somewhere…..alive,” wrote one fan on the social media site.

“Of course we don’t really know if Anthony was dead when Ruby left him. She thought he was, but only John really knows,” said another.

“Is Anthony actually dead?, it was John that pronounced and John that disposed of the “body,” a third pointed out.

“Nope… Anthony is not there! I WONDER if, John brought him back to life and the deal is that he stayed gone,” a fourth agreed.

Is Anthony alive and hiding out – or stashed somewhere?

Read more: As John Sugden reveals where Anthony’s body is buried, is he telling the truth? All we know

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.

What do you think of our story? Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think!