What is John Sugden hiding? From undercover police officer to harvesting organs, all the theories on who he really is

Since joining Emmerdale, John Sugden has been the subject of immense speculation among fans, all unsure of what his game is. As a long-lost member of the Sugden clan, he’s held his cards close to his chest, initially coming across as cold, aloof and… well, maybe a little bit creepy.

He’s opened up a bit since then, mostly in his relationship to Aaron Dingle. They’ve gone from strength to strength since Aaron attacked Anthony Fox – with John helping Aaron to cover up the murder.

Aaron may not have been the one who actually delivered the killing blow (that would be Ruby), but he’s been instrumental in hiding the crime – and Anthony’s body. However, his willingness and capability in covering up a murder has some suspicious, and his treatment of Aaron lately has raised a few red flags too.

What’s John Sugden up to? Well, his secrets are about to come out. Here are all the theories so far!

Is John Sudgen an Emmerdale serial killer?

The prevailing theory is that John Sugden is a secret Emmerdale serial killer. A recent revelation is that Nate Robinson is dead and hiding at the bottom of a lake has all but confirmed the theory for some. Many think that John killed Nate – and could kill again.

“Is John going to be the latest serial killer to grace the village? I can’t think of anyone else who’d kill Nate,” wrote one fan on the social media site X.

“John is very defensive, I’m calling this Nate storyline the sub story for the year will gain traction through.. John isn’t who he says he is.. Aidan Moore .. serial killer just what the village of the damned need,” said another.

“I think it’s John. He could be a serial killer. He cleaned up Anthony body and got rid really well,” said a third.

Is John Sugden hiding undercover police officer status in Emmerdale?

Another – highly conflicting – idea is that John is actually an undercover cop, working to bring down the Dingles.

“I think John is lying and I wonder if he is an undercover police officer? Remember last year John told police about the illegal boxing,” suggested one viewer.

“Is GI John still a police informant?” asked another.

Is John Sudgen organ harvesting for Joe on Emmerdale?

Elsewhere in the village, sickly Joe Tate is fighting for survival. After  he took a turn for the worse, it became clear that he had a big job to complete if he wanted to survive… He then took Caleb’s kidney in a secret transplant operation. Some have wondered whether the two stories might be related.

Was John working for Joe to get the transplant he needed?

“The person Joe is in cohorts with is John – the reason he ‘took care’ of Anthony’s body is to harvest his organs. My tinfoil hat said so,” suggested one fan.

“Emmerdale prediction: John (who is actually Aidan Moore) is connected with Joe, and was involved in the drugging of Noah,” said another.

Fake Sugden

Whatever John’s up to, many can’t let go of the suspicion that John isn’t who he’s claiming to be. John seemed to clear up the confusion over the Aidan Moore dog tags by explaining to Aaron that Aidan had been a friend who died in Afghanistan, but viewers aren’t buying it.

“Is “John” really “John” or is he really Aidan Moore, the man he had the dog tags for? Has he stolen his identity for some reason?” asked one viewer.

While lots think that ‘John’ could secretly be Aidan Moore, others think that Aidan was one of John’s previous victims… furthering the serial killer theory.

“THEORY – John killed Aidan and Nate,” one fan wrote.

What’s John hiding?

Read more: John is keeping Anthony locked up alive, new fan theory predicts

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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