4 ways Robert Sugden could ’cause mayhem’ in Emmerdale – and who should be worried

Who should watch their back?
Jade Brown

Robert has been keeping his head down of late in Emmerdale, but during Tuesday’s episode (July 1) he revealed to newcomer Ray that he was planning on ‘causing mayhem.’

Having met Ray and then overheard Ross and Mack’s conversation about selling Lewis’s weed stash to him, Robert Sugden decided to double cross them.

Robert has been helping out on Moira’s farm since his release from prison and described himself as ‘just one of the labourers.’ He also told Ray: “I’m bottom of the heap, no one tells me anything.”

So naturally, when Ross noticed the barn had been emptied of all the stash, neither he nor Mackenzie suspected the lowly farmhand of being responsible.

After being handed a wad of cash by dealer Ray in exchange for the drugs, Robert informed him that he’d be using the cash as part of his plan to cause ‘mayhem.’ But just what mayhem will Robert cause? Here’s who we think should be worried…

Victoria is stuck between her warring brothers in Emmerdale
Robert is determined to bring down John (Credit: ITV)

Will Robert expose John Sugden?

The first thing Robert did when he landed back in the village was attempt to stop his former hubby Aaron Dingle from marrying John Sugden. Robert was unsuccessful, but he won’t be stopped that easily and has continued to dig for information on John.

Could Robert use this money to take John down? Some fans certainly think so. Taking to Reddit, one person said: “He’s getting his money right before his [bleep] goes to war. Sugden’s gonna get played like a fiddle.”

Another fan agreed, writing: “There is no way he is not going to take his alleged brother down and get the man he loves back. By any means necessary. And that requires resources.”

Moira and Robert in Emmerdale
Moira opened up to Robert about her money troubles (Credit: ITV)

Could Robert cause mayhem for Moira in Emmerdale?

Due to the slurry tank leak – purposely caused by John to set up Mack – Moira is in a spot of bother, money wise. Robert was there when newcomer Celia offered to rent some fields from Moira at a discounted rate due to Moira being desperate for the cash.

Moira refused to take Celia’s money, but she’d likely take Robert’s. Could he offer to buy the fields – that previously belonged to his family – and then rival her farming business, which would affect her livelihood?

“It would be great for him to bring back the Sugden farming legacy. Also Coira vs Robron!,” wrote a fan on Reddit.

Robert stole weed from Lewis and Ross (Credit: ITV)

Will his rivalry with Ross Barton resurface?

Robert and Ross’s rivalry goes back years and in 2015 Ross shot Robert. In 2017, in a storyline that mirrors this one, Robert stole cannabis from Ross and his brother Finn’s cannabis farm.

Ross went on to help raise Robert’s son Seb with Rebecca White. Could Robert hold resentment over this? And could he splash the cash to annoy Ross – who was hoping to use the money from the sale of the weed to save Moira’s farm?

“If there’s only one thing we can rely on, it’s Robert Sugden stealing Ross Barton’s weed and causing mayhem,” wrote one fan on X. 

Caleb wants Joe in Emmerdale dead
Caleb fired Robert (Credit: ITV)

Will Robert cause mayhem for Caleb in Emmerdale?

Upon leaving prison, Robert managed to land a job working for Caleb Miligan at the Depot. However, this news did not please John, who didn’t want Robert having a reason to stay in the village.

John tried to persuade Caleb to sack Robert, claiming he couldn’t trust him. When that didn’t work, he opted to blackmail Caleb over the Anthony Fox murder.

Jai inadvertently let slip the reason for Robert’s firing and Robert immediately lashed out at John. But does he also harbour resentment for Caleb for being so easily persuaded? And could he use the cash to start a rival business?

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns