Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) is on a mission to build his business empire in Emmerdale next week, as he makes a deal to take over the Hide. In upcoming scenes, Robert manipulates Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) into selling him her business.
Robert's ambition drives Hide deal
'Robert's ambitious and he wants to expand,' actor Ryan Hawley explained. 'He's got designs on making something of himself, which is consistent with him all throughout his time in the show. He sees an opportunity.'
He approaches her at Jimmy's grave and suggests that the best way to make things up to Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) is through actions rather than words. When Gabby tells Nicola she has found a way to make things right between them, Nicola is intrigued, and Gabby reveals her plan to pay Nicola with the money she'll get from selling Robert the Hide.
Emotional handover and Aaron's reaction
An emotional Gabby and Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) later hand over the keys, leaving Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) confused. Robert explains to him what's gone on before promising that he will stop scheming once the deal has gone through.
'Aaron anchors Robert with the every day man moral compass. That's good for him to have. It keeps him in check. Aaron being Aaron dissuades Robert from going so far.'
Robert's scheming continues
Can Robert be trusted, or will his greed see him go even further to expand his business portfolio? It seems the latter is most likely, with Ryan admitting that Robert's scheming will continue 'for the foreseeable' as he attempts to take over the village.
'It's almost like an empirical conquest going on,' Ryan teased. It's quite territorial. The Tates, The Dingles, The Sugdens. Robert is the driving force behind that corner of the triangle. 'I am loving being the figurehead for that. It's been a lot of fun.'
