Who is Owen in Emmerdale? As John Sugden takes drastic action to cover his tracks Robert's spiker is in the firing line

John Sugden has found a scapegoat
Carena Crawford

Owen Michaels is a name that keeps cropping up in Emmerdale as he’s drawn into the saga of John Sugden. But who exactly is Owen? And why is he so important?

Although tonight will see Owen’s death, he’s still going to keep coming up in storylines, so here’s everything we know.

Robert's date drugs him in Emmerdale
John witnessed Owen drugging Robert’s beer (Credit: ITV)

Owen in Emmerdale was the date who spiked Robert

When Robert Sugden returned to the village after his prison release, he was heartbroken to know that Aaron Dingle had married John. He told Robert John was his future and Robert needed to move on – and away.

Although Robert stayed put he set about trying to make Aaron jealous. First stop: hooking up with an online date in full view of Aaron. That date? Owen Michaels.

He lives in Demsdyke and was very keen to get Robert back to his place asap. But when Robert saw his little performance was having no affect on Aaron, he called things off and said he couldn’t go through with it.

That’s when Owen spiked his drink to make him go through with it. John Sugden witnessed it and stepped in to save Robert, sending Owen on his way.

But that was not the last we saw of Owen.

John turns on Owen in Emmerdale

John threw Owen out earlier this week (Credit: ITV)

Owen returns in Emmerdale

Earlier this week, John was surprised when his next patient at the surgery was Owen. Owen was after some sleeping pills having run out of his previous prescription given by Dr Cavanagh.

John immediately recognised him and called him out, accusing him of wanting the pills to spike someone else. He frogmarched Owen out of the doctors and sent him on his way.

Robert was shaken to see him, but furious with John for never reporting it to the police so nothing could be done.

So who is Owen in Emmerdale?

On Friday, July 18, Liam confides his concerns about a particular patient to John. And it turns out it is Owen Michaels.

He reveals Owen has had a tough life and had resorted to drink and drugs to cope. Dr Cavanagh insists he is a good guy, he just needs a bit of support to help him get back on track.

A key fact he revealed to John was that Owen hardly ever locks his door. And we’re soon set to find out what John did with that information.

Robert does not trust John in Emmerdale

Robert has got John’s number (Credit: ITV)

John sets him up for murder

Emmerdale spoilers for next week show John has gone to Owen’s house and framed him for killing Nate. Owen is dead and has left a ‘suicide note’ confessing to the crime. Of course we know John has set this whole thing up.

It’s Liam who finds Owen and alerts the police. Then DS Walsh delivers the news to Tracy and Cain. John manages to act suitably shocked when he finds out, but really hopes this ‘confession’ will put everything to bed.

However, Robert Sugden is not convinced that’s all there is to it. He goes hunting for more information and soon meets with Owen’s brother who reveals shocking news. As Robert heads to the police station, has John messed up?

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