As Steph digs for Anthony, ‘clues’ John is keeping him hostage after saving his life

The Miligan's received some sinister flowers
Rebecca Sayers

Emmerdale fans have been left wondering is Anthony alive after tonight’s episode. And it seems many think he may actually be.

Tonight’s episode (Monday, April 14) saw Steph head to the woods to see for herself if Anthony was actually buried there.

She then got a scare when she realised that the soil under the log was undisturbed…

Anthony gloating in Emmerdale
Could Anthony be alive? (Credit: ITV)

Is Anthony alive in Emmerdale?

Steph was certain that Anthony is still alive after the Milligans received a bunch of flowers with a card from ‘Anthony.’

She then headed to the woods tonight to see for herself whether Anthony’s body was actually there. We can’t imagine she would’ve coped well if he was though…

With Jai admitting to Ruby that he sent the flowers (how cruel!), the Miligans rushed to the woods to find Steph. But, they couldn’t believe that the soil under the log was undisturbed, meaning that Anthony was never buried there.

John then shared that Anthony wasn’t buried there but he was indeed dead. He didn’t want anybody rumbling his burial place and landing them in trouble so he’d kept his true resting place a secret…

John looks shifty in Emmerdale
Does John have Anthony held hostage? (Credit: ITV)

Is John holding Anthony hostage?

One main theory is that John actually has Anthony held hostage, and that he’s lying about his death. He could be keeping him out of the village…

If Anthony truly did stop breathing, by doing CPR and bringing him back, John would be the hero again. Only this time, nobody would really appreciate it as they all wanted rid of the vile man.

So to be able to control the narrative, John may have fake buried him in the woods, hoping everyone would just believe him.

Taking to a Reddit thread, fans discussed the potential storyline. One wrote: “Given that John or whoever he is seems to be suffering from Hero Syndrome, dare I suggest the biggest twist. Ruby believes she killed her dad and everyone thinks John disposed of the body. But could it be that John used his medical skills to help Anthony recover? Judging by next week’s spoilers, I don’t think he is actually buried there!”

Another backed it up, adding more reasons why it seems plausible. They said: “There are good reasons. If Anthony were dead then both Aaron and Ruby would implicated and potentially sent to jail. And I can’t see either of their characters being sacked anytime soon.”

If Anthony is alive, then Emmerdale is about to reveal that John may be much more sinister than anyone realises.

Read more: As Emmerdale confirms John’s secrets, fans are more confident than ever that he isn’t really a Sugden

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.

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