Shock Emmerdale exit as soap legend leaves just days after returning
THERE was yet another shock in Emmerdale with an exit as a soap legend left the dales again just days after making a dramatic return.
Viewers tuned into the long-running ITV soap to see Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) tie the knot with John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).
Aaron’s ex-husband Robert (Ryan Hawley) made a sensational Emmerdale comeback as he attempted to stop the nuptials.
He was previously seen on-screen when he was sent down for the murder of Lee, who raped his sister Victoria (Isabel Hodgins).
The character was sentenced to fourteen years without parole and he was transferred to a different prison that was far away from the village.
However, Robert was released early and he found out about Aaron’s wedding on social media.
He admitted that he still loved Aaron and the pair kissed on the bridge, before he got into a fight with John.
On tonight’s episode that was uploaded to ITVX, Robert will make another exit.
After Aaron chooses to go through with the wedding to John, Robert is arrested for breaking the terms of his licence.
Suspecting that John reported his half-brother to the police for missing his first probation meeting, he soon gets dragged back to prison.
He calls Victoria who is celebrating the wedding of her other brother from the Woolpack.
Although Robert reminds her that he and Aaron once took their vows in front of the village residents, she urges him to admit defeat.
She tells him that ultimately, Aaron chose John, but Robert was not having it, as he replied: “For now maybe.”
Victoria then asks how long he will remain behind bars, to which he says: “For a while maybe.
“I guess you should use this time to put it all behind you, admit that you’ve lost and move on.”
Robert then put the phone down and disgruntledly made his way back to his cell.
Aaron Dingle's biggest storylines
The character Aaron Dingle (formerly Livesy) made his Emmerdale debut all the way back in 2003. Current actor Danny Miller took on the role in 2008. Here are some of Aaron's biggest soap storylines over the years.
- McFarlane family: After Aaron returns to the village in 2008, he is arrested by Ross Kirk (Samuel Anderson) for possession of drugs. His mother Chas‘ (Lucy Pargeter) family later learn he is a drug courier for the McFarlanes.
- Coming to terms with his homosexuality: Initially, Aaron questioned and struggled to come to terms with his homosexuality. He ultimately confided in friend and guardian Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).
- Romantic advance towards Adam Barton: At one point, Aaron begins dating Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) and befriends her brother Adam (Adam Thomas). Aaron tries to kiss Adam after they are involved in a run-off road collision. Embarrassed, he tells Adam that he misunderstood the situation. Aaron sleeps with Holly, however, Adam informs his family that he thinks Aaron is gay. Aaron denies it but Holly ends the relationship.
- Child sexual abuse: In 2015, it was revealed Aaron had been sexually abused by his father Gordon (Gary Mavers) when he was from the age of 8 before Gordon kicked him out. Ultimately, Gordon was imprisoned years later – but took his own life while in prison.
- Relationship with Jackson Walsh: Aaron and Jackson Walsh (Marc Silcock) started dating after a tumultuous start to knowing each other. Their story ultimately ended in heartbreak, as Jackson died by assisted suicide.
- Suicide attempt: A harrowing storyline from 2010 saw a then-teenage Aaron attempt to take his own life.
- Relationship with Robert Sugden: Aaron and long-standing character Robert Sugden were romantically linked following the latter’s return in 2014. Nicknamed “Robron“, the pair married in 2018, however, Robert exited the soap in 2019.
This is sure to be a shock to viewers as it was previously revealed that Ryan will be back permanently, although his first return was only for an initial short stint.
A source said: “It will soon become clear that Robert’s freedom isn’t all that it seems and he will end up back behind bars for a little while.
“His full-time return will come later in the summer and it’s set to be explosive.”
The actor previously broke his silence on his huge soap comeback, saying: “It sets up a fantastic few episodes to finish off the wedding week which shows how the incident of Robert turning up will resolve itself.”
Emmerdale continues on ITV1 and you can stream the soap on ITVX.