ITV viewers will find a vacant spot in their evening television schedule tonight as the channel's beloved soap, Emmerdale, has been pulled from its usual Thursday night slot.
Why Emmerdale Has Been Replaced
The dramatic events unfolding in the Dales have been temporarily sidelined to make way for live sports coverage. ITV will broadcast the European Qualifiers match between England and Serbia this evening, with coverage beginning at 7pm and the match itself kicking off at 7:45pm.
This scheduling change means fans will have to wait to discover what happens next after Wednesday night's explosive episode, which delivered several major revelations about life behind bars for Robert Sugden and featured an unexpected return from beyond the grave.
Shock Returns and Prison Revelations
In the most recent episode, viewers were taken deep into Robert Sugden's prison life, where he finally explained to Aaron why he had formed a relationship with fellow inmate Kev. Robert revealed that marrying Kev, who provided him with protection, represented his decision to accept his incarceration and stop pining for his life in the nearby village.
The episode's most stunning moment came with the shock return of Faith Dingle, played by Sally Dexter, who reprised her role three years after her character's death from terminal breast cancer. Faith appeared in Robert's prison flashback, confronting him about Aaron's struggles back in the village.
Speaking about her unexpected return, Sally Dexter expressed her delight at revisiting the character, despite the logistical challenge of bringing back a deceased persona. 'They've thrown me in prison with Robert,' she explained. 'It's a flashback episode and it's delightful to be back doing it. First of all, I thought – how are they gonna get me back because I'm dead!'
A Major Cliffhanger and Fan Theories
The episode concluded with a bombshell revelation that has set fan forums alight with speculation. Kev's secret son was revealed to be in the village, with strong hints pointing toward Lewis, played by Bradley Riches, being the offspring of Kev and Emma Barton.
This dramatic twist has sparked numerous theories among the Emmerdale faithful. Some viewers predict this development might ensure Kev remains in the storyline for longer, while others suspect it could be a clever misdirection by the show's writers, potentially setting up an even bigger revelation in future episodes.
For now, fans must patiently await the next installment, their anticipation heightened by the temporary scheduling interruption and the knowledge that several major storylines are hanging in the balance.
