What's John hiding in Emmerdale? 6 theories about Aidan Moore

John Sugden has arrived in Emmerdale and well and truly made his mark on everyone he’s come across.

But now it’s been revealed he might not be who he says he is. What?!

John Sugden looks brooding in press picture — What is John hiding? (Credit: ITV)

Mystery man

In last night’s episode, Victoria found a box belonging to John in her son Harry’s room. When she handed it over to her new-found brother he opened it to reveal a dog tag.

He admitted he had been in the army but told Vic in no uncertain terms that he didn’t want to talk about that time in his life – it was over.

Fair enough.

Except what Victoria didn’t see was that the dog tag John was holding didn’t have his own name etched into it. Instead it said Aidan Moore.

John Sugden's dog tag with the name Aidan Moore — John’s dog tag has the name Aidan Moore etched on it (Credit: ITV)

Who is Aidan Moore?

As if John’s prickly nature, feud with Mack and Aaron, and determination to leave Emmerdale as soon as he can weren’t enough to keep viewers gripped, now there’s another side to the newcomer’s mysterious character!

We’ve been sifting through the theories about who Aidan Moore could be – and why John has his dog tag!

Dawn looks upset at the hospital in Emmerdale — Has Dawn got more to worry about? (Credit: ITV)

1. Links to a village villain?

Those of you with good memories will recall that Dawn’s evil ex – and dad to Clemmie and Lucas – was called Alex Moore. Could John have a link with him? Could this mean Alex returning to the village? (Let’s hope not, eh? Dawn’s got enough on her plate!).

Victoria and John outside church in promo shot — John told Victoria he already had a dad in his life (Credit: ITV)

2. John’s stepdad

One of four things Aiden Moore could be in my opinion

His Ex

HIs wonderfully kind stepdad & it’s why he has no interest in the Sugden’s cause he had a guy that stepped up

His abusive stepdad & he is mad daddy dreariest left them in that position

His real name #Emmerdale

— Lucie (@loulouppg17) August 13, 2024

One of the reasons John gave for never tracking down his biological dad Jack Sugden, was that he had a dad in his life. Could Aidan Moore be that stepdad – good or bad?

John and Aaron kiss against John's van — John’s single right now – at least we assume so! (Credit: ITV)

3. Ex-lover

Back with #Emmerdale tweets tomorrow. Who’s aiden moore? John ex lover or has he killed aiden and taken the dog tag?

— MIKE (@mikepriestley13) August 13, 2024

John’s single now – at least we’re assuming so given his hook-up with Aaron in the back of his van – but could Aidan be an ex-lover? Possibly someone John lost during his time in the army?

Robert Sugden in a car — Does John know Robert from prison? (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

4. Robert’s cellmate

Is Aidan Moore John’s ex?? Husband? Dead?? Solider friend?? Dead?? Brother …Dead? 👀😬🤷🏻‍♂️

Or is John a conman who knew Robert in jail #emmerdale

He’s still hot AF whoever he turns out to be 🤣 pic.twitter.com/8ewGWhF4uT

— Niall Horan (@niallhoran) August 13, 2024

Robert Sugden – John’s half-brother – is currently in jail, serving time for attacking Vic’s rapist (and dad to Harry) Lee Posner.

Some fans think it’s possible John – or Aidan – met Robert in prison and is a con man trying to worm his way into the Sugden family.

5. Stolen identity

My John Sugden theories:

– could he kill someone? I’m thinking possibly Mack (as Emmerdale are teasing a rivalry) OR Nate! Remember Nate has been confirmed to be leaving (and randomly appeared tonight)
– he has an army background, is he not the real John Sugden? #Emmerdale

— Emmerdale 2dae (@Emmerdale2dae) August 13, 2024

Victoria has already commented that John is like their dad, Jack. And we reckon she’s right – John is definitely all Sugden. But are we being led down a dead-end? Some fans have been busy musing that John could BE Aidan Moore. “Is he not the real John Sugden?” said one fan.

Jack Sugden had a lot of women in his life. Are there more Sugdens out there? (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

6. Another brother?

Hats off to the Emmerdale fan on Reddit who delved into the archives and discovered a character called Karen Moore who lived in Beckindale – as Emmerdale was called back then – in the 1980s. She had a fling with Jack AND Jack’s brother Joe and moved away in 1986. Could she be Aidan’s mum? And could Aidan be yet another Sugden brother?!