Anthony looks smug on Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Composite: EI)

Emmerdale spoilers for next week have suggested that Anthony Fox might still be ‘alive.’ As Anthony continues to torment his family from beyond the grave with gifts of flowers, a spiralling Steph is determined to dig up his grave.

This might seem like an unlikely turn of events, but Steph isn’t the first person to question whether Anthony might still be alive. Soon after his ‘death,’ fans began to question whether he’d really died at all.

Here’s all the ‘evidence’ so far that Anthony might still live.

Ruby looks over Anthony, who is dead on the floor in Emmerdale
A flashback revealed that it was Ruby who killed Anthony (Credit: ITV)

We never saw him die

Who’s word do we really have that Anthony’s really dead? Ruby seemed fairly convinced that she’d finished him off, but it was ultimately John who declared him dead.

And with John’s true motives looking ever more suspicious, who’s to say he’s even telling the truth? After all, we never actually saw him dispose of the body.

John in the woods with Aaron, Chas, Cain, Caleb and Ruby on Emmerdale, standing over Anthony's grave
John claims Anthony is buried in the woods (Credit: ITV)

We don’t know if he’s really buried there

In an attempt to pacify Aaron and the murder committee’s nerves, John decided to show them exactly where he’d dumped Anthony. Taking them out into the woods, he showed them the spot where he’d buried the body.

However, once again, we only have his word for it. And Anthony’s so-called ‘grave’ looks a bit too well-kempt to have a whole man buried under there. Is John lying about the location of Anthony’s body – or does he still live?

Aaron rushes to Chas's aid when she collapses in Emmerdale
John likes to play the hero (Credit: ITV)

John has a saviour complex

There’s been a lot of speculation that John might be a murderer. But in reality, he’s displayed a tact for the opposite – always wanting to play the hero.

This led him to taking control of the situation after Aaron beat Anthony to death’s door, then rushed to Chas’s side when she collapsed after an accidental overdose. And, with many wondering whether it was actually John who poisoned her, that’s only raised further questions about Anthony’s whereabouts.

“Could he actually have saved Anthony but has him imprisoned somewhere? It would ensure both Ruby and Aaron would not be held responsible for any part in Anthony’s death if he is still alive,” wondered one fan on Reddit last week.

Could John have ‘saved’ Anthony from his injuries only to lock him up to protect Aaron and Ruby?

John is under suspicion in Emmerdale
The family demand answers (Credit: ITV)

Emmerdale spoilers for next week: Steph spirals thinking that Anthony is alive

In Emmerdale spoilers for next week, Steph convinces herself that Anthony is alive after receiving some flowers. After Jai admits he was responsible, Ruby tells Jai about the abuse.

Rushing to the woods, she and Caleb find Steph trying to dig up Anthony’s grave. They try to stop her, but soon notice that the soil is undisturbed. As they begin to question John’s story, they’re led to wonder whether Anthony is dead after all.

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2025? A complete guide to departures, returns and new arrivals in the Dales

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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