In a bank holiday twist that’s thrown loyal soap fans into a spin, EastEnders and Emmerdale have both been shaken from their usual time slots — but it’s not just the schedules that are sending shockwaves through the UK. One soap is reshuffling for Dumbo. The other is bracing itself for a full-blown reckoning. And at the heart of it all? A killer walking free in the Dales.

Tonight, viewers tuning in at the usual time of 7:30pm for their Monday EastEnders fix on BBC One will be met with a surprise. The long-running soap is airing earlier than expected, jumping to 6:50pm to make way for the live-action remake of Disney’s Dumbo. That magical elephant tale takes flight at 7:20pm, followed by travel series Paddy and Chris: Road Tripping at 9pm.

But don’t worry, die-hard Enders devotees — the latest episode is already waiting for you on BBC iPlayer.

The scheduling shake-up doesn’t stop there. Over on ITV, the Championship football clash between Burnley and Sheffield United has thrown a wrench into Emmerdale’s plans. The match kicks off at 5:30pm, slicing right through the Dales’ regular 7:30pm slot. As a result, there will be no episode of Emmerdale tonight — but it returns Tuesday with a vengeance, airing a full hour-long episode to make up for lost time.

And trust us, you’ll need every second of it.

Because Emmerdale is about to plunge headfirst into one of its darkest storylines in recent memory — a tale of lies, obsession, murder… and a man named John Sugden who may be beyond saving.

For months now, viewers have watched John worm his way deeper into village life, gaining trust, stealing hearts, and masking a sinister past. But this week, everything changes. The façade shatters. The mask slips. And the horrifying truth is exposed.

A string of chilling flashback scenes has revealed that John is far more dangerous than anyone ever suspected. First came the murder of Nate Robinson, a crime initially brushed off as a tragic accident — but in truth, it was the first step in a calculated pattern of destruction. John didn’t stop there.

He drugged and stalked Chas Dingle, framed Ella, and later poisoned Mark in a terrifying series of actions that feel more like a psychological thriller than a soap plot. And all the while, John played the part of the charming boyfriend, the loyal friend, the guy who just wanted a second chance.

Now the truth is out — and the fallout will be explosive.

Actor Oliver Farnworth, who plays John, has teased what’s to come in the wake of the character’s unraveling. “There’s lots of big stuff coming up,” he revealed. “John’s web is starting to close in around him. He knew this day would come — that people would grow suspicious, that secrets would slip. But no amount of planning can prepare him for what’s next.”

According to Farnworth, John’s tactics are shifting. Where once he manipulated from the shadows, now he’s in survival mode — making impulsive, dangerous choices just to stay one step ahead. “He’s thinking on his feet, reacting, doing whatever it takes to hold onto the life he’s built,” Farnworth says. “Because now, everything’s at stake.”

That includes his relationship with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), the man John claims is the love of his life. And his newfound place in the community — something John, who never had a real family before, is desperate to cling to. “He’s not going to let go of that,” Farnworth warns. “Not under any circumstances.”

But how long can the lie last?

As the villagers begin to connect the dots, suspicion turns to confrontation. There are battles on the horizon, emotional showdowns and long-buried truths finally breaking the surface. And for John, the pressure cooker of guilt and fear may finally reach a boiling point.

Still, Farnworth insists John isn’t entirely evil — not in his own mind, at least. The murder of Nate, he says, was accidental… though what followed was anything but. “He didn’t handle it right,” the actor admits. “Not legally, not emotionally, not morally. And that’s going to have devastating consequences — not just for John, but for every family affected.”

This is Emmerdale storytelling at its boldest — a character study wrapped in a murder mystery, layered with emotional depth and psychological tension. And it’s not just about what John’s done — it’s about what happens now that the truth is out.

With Emmerdale set to return Tuesday in a special extended episode, viewers can expect major twists, explosive confrontations, and irreversible fallout. Nothing will be the same again.