Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) faces a difficult day in Emmerdale this evening. It is confirmed in the instalment, now available on ITVX and YouTube, that it is her father Anthony Fox's birthday. Fake friend Sadie King (Patsy Kensit) learns that Ruby does not like talking about her dad, and believes this might be the thing she can use against the Miligans to destroy them. Sadie pushes for gossip, but Ruby sticks to her guns and does not share any information.
Who was Anthony Fox?
Anthony Fox, played by Nicholas Day, arrived in 2024 alongside Steph Miligan (Georgia Jay), Caleb Miligan (William Ash) and Ruby's daughter. Steph had a strong relationship with her granddad, which Ruby struggled with. Whenever Anthony was around her, Ruby was cold and distant, and viewers eventually learnt the dark and horrific reason why.
A flashback revealed that Anthony sexually abused Ruby. After being raped by her dad, 16-year-old Ruby fell pregnant, which resulted in the birth of Steph.
What happened to Anthony Fox?
In January 2025, Anthony was involved in a showdown with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller). He had discovered what Anthony did to Ruby, and became triggered by memories of his own father abusing him. At the depot, Aaron attacked Anthony. He left and returned to the flat, where John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) spotted blood on his partner and realised something was wrong.
When they got to the depot, Aaron and John realised Anthony was dead. It looked as though Aaron killed him, but neither knew that Ruby went into the depot in the time Aaron was not there and murdered her father.
John jumped to help Aaron and disposed of Anthony's body. He later revealed the burial location to those who knew about what really happened. A few months later, it became apparent that John had lied about where Anthony was buried. He claimed that it was to protect the secret and prevent those involved from slipping up, but he also used the knowledge to his advantage.
After John's crimes and murder of Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) were exposed, he plotted to go on the run. He told Caleb that if he did not help him leave the country, he would tell the police that Anthony was killed by Ruby. In the end, Caleb drove John to Rotterdam. Before he left, John deleted the email he was planning on sending to the police, and also gave Caleb the real location of where Anthony's body was hidden.
