Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) is about to face his toughest hour since being released from prison, as a dramatic instalment of Emmerdale unfolds on Thursday (31st July 2025).

The drama picks up after his scheming half-brother John (Oliver Farnworth), planted a listening device to spy on Robert.

John swiftly heard Robert discussing how he sold off Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and Mackenzie Boyd’s (Lawrence Robb) weed to Ray (Joe Absolom).

As a new day dawns, John wastes no time in telling Ross what he knows, before sitting back and waiting for the fireworks.

When Ross confronts Robert in the Woolpack, the latter’s ex-husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), now married to dangerous John, is nearby.

Any ceasefire in hostilities is short-lived when Robert is exposed for not only stealing the drugs, but for using the cash from them to buy Annie’s (Sheila Mercier) land back from Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb).

But then she learns that Ray sent in the lads who menaced Kyle Winchester (Huey Quinn) on the farm, all because the villain failed to believe Robert when he insisted there was no more gear onsite.

Although Robert had nothing to do with Ray’s plan, his actions led to what happened.

With John continuing to play Mr Nice Guy, Robert issues a parting warning that the locals will soon see his sibling’s true colours.

But, now public enemy number one again, Robert’s isolation leads him into yet another showdown with John, whose underhand tactics and nasty words cause Robert to lose control.

A violent incident ensues, with the fate of both characters left on the line in very different ways.

You’ll have to tune in via ITVX for the full story, or wait until 7.30pm when the episode airs on ITV1.

But it’s safe to say, viewers will be firmly Team Robert in an instalment that will surely be hailed as the best hour-long special from the soap since – well, since Robert crashed the wedding!

Will John’s latest act destroy Robert?

Read more:

• Emmerdale airs cunning cliffhanger for John Sugden over Robert secret in ITVX edition
• 5 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle reconnect and Charity Dingle suffers a fall
• Emmerdale confirms last-minute scene following Lioness victory at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025
• Emmerdale airs menacing twist for Robert Sugden in ITVX edition
• Emmerdale draws unsuspecting villager into John Sugden plot in ITVX cliffhanger
• Emmerdale’s Natalie J Robb reveals Moira’s showdown with Joe Tate sparks Dingle feud
• Emmerdale star on newcomer Celia: “She’s a force to be reckoned with”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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