{"id":14013,"date":"2025-05-29T11:21:36","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T10:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emmerdale-insider.com\/?p=14013"},"modified":"2025-06-02T14:24:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T13:24:40","slug":"robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","title":{"rendered":" Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Robert Sugden has returned to Emmerdale!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-1st\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>He\u2019s one of the show\u2019s most iconic characters and fans have been desperate or him to return almost since the day he left!<\/p>\n<p>Plus, as part of the Sugden family, Robert is also one of Emmerdale\u2019s \u2018legacy\u2019 characters. Just like his love-rival, John Sugden.<\/p>\n<p>Born on-screen to the show\u2019s most iconic families, he was at the heart of all sorts of drama during his years on Emmerdale.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:min-h-[300px]\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot1\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>So where has Robert been in his time away? And more importantly, why is he back?!<\/p><section class=\"widget block-30 widget_block mb-4\"><div class=\"mb-3 stories-slider-container overflow-hidden w-[100%] max-sm:w-[108%] max-sm:ml-[-15px]\" data-items-visible=\"2\">\n  <h3 class=\"w-full text-center mb-5 uppercase\">article continues below<\/h3>  <div class=\"grid md:grid-cols-5 grid-cols-6\">\n          <a class=\"!no-underline col-span-4 mr-5 cursor-pointer mb-3 hover:!bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] block [-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent] uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/category\/spoilers\/\">\n        <h2 class=\"font-[var(--font-v-font)] text-[var(--color-v-primary)] font-bold !text-2xl flex flex-row place-content-baseline !mb-0 max-sm:ml-[10px]\">\n          <span class=\"flex-initial mr-2 transition-all duration-300 hover:-translate-y-1 ease-in-out !leading-[var(--title-line-height)]\">Read all the latest spoilers<\/span>\n          <span class=\"mt-auto mb-2 self-baseline h-1 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] block w-[100%] flex-1\"><\/span>\n        <\/h2>\n      <\/a>\n    \n\n\n\n\n    \n    <div class=\"rounded-tl-xl md:rounded-tr-xl bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] flex flex-row gap-4 md:col-span-1 col-span-2 justify-center pt-2\">\n      <button class=\"prev-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] items-center justify-center text-sm transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer\" href=\"#\" alt=\"right\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M15 19l-7-7 7-7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"next-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] font-bold items-center justify-center transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer \" href=\"#\" alt=\"left\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M9 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"px-[10px] bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] rounded-none md:rounded-l-xl md:rounded-br-xl max-sm:pb-3\">\n    <div class=\"stories-slider-viewport group overflow-x-auto relative scroll-smooth\">\n      \n      <div class=\"invisible md:block slide\">\n        <img class=\"h-[250px]\" src=\"https:\/\/placehold.co\/1x250\" alt=\"placeholder\">\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <div class=\"stories-slider-track top-[10px] max-sm:h-[233px] absolute flex flex-row flex-nowrap transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out\">\n                              <div class=\"story-item flex-none slide\">\n              <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:hidden dbxgas:md:block dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-desktop\"><\/div><\/div>            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\" md:ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/paddy-bear-dylan-face-jury-on-trial\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Emm-Banners-ExclusiveOp-Templates-11.jpg\" alt=\"Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Mon, May 4<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">2 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/kevs-comeback-dawn-exit-return-sadie-king\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-split-2026-04-10T172033.421.jpg\" alt=\"Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">Upcoming<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">2 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/joe-exposes-dawn-big-secret-paddy-faces-his-last-night-village\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DATE-split-2026-04-30T131946.383.jpg\" alt=\"Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Fri, May 1<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">3 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/moira-recruits-dawn-todd-beds-hope-bear\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Fan-theory-Split-36.jpg\" alt=\"Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Thu, Apr 30<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">4 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/dont-worry-that-was-not-moira-revenge-joe-emmerdale-spoilers-confirm-real-plan-next-week\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-split-2026-04-28T153547.115.jpg\" alt=\"Moira's real plan confirmed after letting Joe live\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">May 4 - 8<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira's real plan confirmed after letting Joe live<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">5 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/cain-moira-crisis-revelation-leaves-family-distraught\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DATE-split-2026-04-28T132835.379.jpg\" alt=\"Cain and Moira in crisis as his revelation leaves the family distraught\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Wed, Apr 29<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Cain and Moira in crisis as his revelation leaves the family distraught<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">5 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"story-item mx-auto flex-none md:hidden sm:block w-[300px]\">\n    <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-mpu\"><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure id=\"attachment_40029\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-40029\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-40029\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Robert interrupts the wedding\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/EXTRA_28_05_EMM_ROBERT_ARRIVE_04-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-40029\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Robert turned up at Aaron\u2019s wedding! (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Robert Sugden in Emmerdale: The early years<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/08\/08\/the-sugden-family-emmerdale-annie-jack-joe-newcomer-john\/\">Robert\u2019s dad was Jack Sugden<\/a> and his mum was Jack\u2019s first wife, Pat. She was married to a man called Tom Merrick, before she married Jack and had two children with him \u2013 Robert\u2019s half siblings, sister Sandie and brother Tommy. Robert also had an older brother, Jackie Merrick, who died in 1989.<\/p>\n<p>Robert\u2019s mum was killed in a car accident when he was only four months old. When Jack remarried \u2013 to Sarah \u2013 she brought him up as her own, along with new baby Victoria and eventually adopted brother, Andy.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div><div data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot2\"><\/div>\n<p>And now of course we know Jack also had a son, John, with a woman called Barbara. They had a brief fling early in 1988 and baby John \u2013 who the Sugden family didn\u2019t know about \u2013 was the result!<\/p><div class=\"my-5 boxout\"><div><h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your Emmerdale news<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">It's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news &amp; schedules to share with our community of loyal readers.\r\n\r\nClick\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tvguide.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q%3Dtvguide.co.uk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw26YBpjtwUOaDOV8IYgQAmD\" data-track=\"preferred-source\" data-placement=\"article_body\"><b>here<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and tick\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uu9xte1Ig7bDiZNlkPjpu\">TVGuide.co.uk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Sarah Sugden\u2019s death<\/h2>\n<p>Sarah Sugden died in a barn fire set by Andy who thought he was helping the family finances \u2013 he thought they could claim on the insurance. When Robert found out Andy was responsible for his mum\u2019s death, it started a feud between the brothers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14078\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14078\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14078\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn.jpg\" alt=\"Robert kisses Sadie\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_675181kn-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14078\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Robert cheated on Katie with Sadie King (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Andy, Katie and Robert love triangle<\/h2>\n<p>Andy and his childhood sweetheart <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/10\/16\/katie-sugden-emmerdale-andy-robert\/\">Katie Addyman<\/a> were happy \u2013 or so Andy thought \u2013 but she started an affair with Robert! When Andy found out he was devastated. Katie and Robert got engaged but he cheated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/08\/21\/sadie-king-emmerdale-scams-marriages-affairs\/\">Sadie King<\/a> and that was the end of their engagement!<\/p>\n<p>With Robert\u2019s feud with Andy at boiling point, the pair embarked on a lethal game of chicken. Except Max King had asked Andy for a lift and was in his Land Rover as he took on Robert. Andy crashed into a wall and though he escaped, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/07\/23\/classic-emmerdale-spoilers-tom-blames-sugdens-maxs-death\/\">Max was killed<\/a> when the car blew up.<\/p>\n<p>Wanting to avoid prison, Robert legged it and only returned to watch his dad Jack\u2019s funeral from a distance.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Robert Sugden returns to Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>Nine years after Max\u2019s death, Robert returned to Emmerdale <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/10\/31\/white-family-emmerdale-lawrence-chrissie-death-serial-killer-lachlan-tragic-rebecca\/\">engaged to Chrissie White<\/a>. By this time, Andy and Katie had rekindled their romance and were planning a wedding but Robert immediately began meddling.<\/p>\n<p>He had offensive messages engraved on the pair\u2019s wedding rings, leaving the newlyweds fuming!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14080\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14080\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14080\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh.jpg\" alt=\"Katie catches Robert and Aaron\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh.jpg 2008w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh-150x102.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_8965291gh-1536x1046.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14080\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Katie caught Robert and Aaron together (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Killing Katie!<\/h2>\n<p>Desperate for revenge, Katie was convinced that Robert was cheating on Chrissie. She threw herself into finding out who he was having an affair with and was shocked to discover it was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/07\/16\/danny-miller-hints-john-sugden-connection-aaron-dingle\/\">Aaron Dingle<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Robert and Katie had a furious argument ending with him shoving her and sending her plummeting through some rotten floorboards. Aaron and Robert covered it up and let Andy find his new wife, and assume it was a tragic accident.<\/p>\n<p>When Paddy found out the truth, Robert tried to kill him in a grain silo.<\/p>\n<h2>Who shot Robert in Emmerdale?<\/h2><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Andy was devastated and furious and wanted to get rid of Robert for good. He made a Strangers on a Train style deal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/09\/18\/ross-barton-emmerdale-affair-with-debbie-acid-attack-why-returning-now\/\">Ross Barton<\/a>, each agreeing to kill the other\u2019s brother.<\/p>\n<p>When Robert was shot, there were a whole list of suspects, but Ross wasn\u2019t among them! When Robert found out Andy had been involved there was another game of chicken (do they never learn?!). Andy crashed his car, but this time Robert pulled him from the wreckage and they called a truce.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_14083\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14083\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-14083\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi.jpg\" alt=\"Robert and Aaron eventually tied the knot\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi.jpg 4855w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi-150x116.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi-768x595.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi-1536x1190.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/shutterstock_editorial_9907851bi-2048x1587.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-14083\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Robert and Aaron eventually tied the knot (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Robron<\/h2>\n<p>Robert and Aaron\u2019s romance was one of fans\u2019 favourite Emmerdale storylines of all time. During the\u00a0drama of the Hotton by-pass crash, the pair got engaged and planned a huge wedding!<\/p>\n<p>But of course nothing is that easy in Emmerdale! Aaron went back to prison for a bit, he had a brief drug addiction, and then Robert slept with his sister-in-law <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/10\/30\/rebecca-white-emmerdale-kidnap-ordeal-romance-ross-barton-tragic-death\/\">Rebecca White<\/a> \u2013 mum to Seb who\u2019s being mentioned on screen a lot at the moment. But finally Robron made it down the aisle!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>However, their happiness \u2013 and fans\u2019 pleasure at their union \u2013 wasn\u2019t too last\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>Emmerdale: Why did Robert go to prison?<\/h2>\n<p>During a night out in Hotton, which was filled with drama, Victoria met a man called Lee Posner. He didn\u2019t take no for an answer and raped her in her own house after the night out. Victoria was devastated and locked herself away for a while before she eventually told her shocked family the truth about the rape \u2013 and the fact that she was pregnant.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Lee got away with his crime, until Robert took his own revenge. He whacked Lee with a shovel and he died. Robert was sent to jail. He set Aaron free and has subsequently refused to see Victoria. We now also know he has signed his rights away to son Seb following Rebecca\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p>Later we discovered that it was possibly Lee\u2019s brother, Luke, who\u2019d been responsible for killing him. But Robert remained behind bars.<\/p>\n<p>Until now!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>After six years away from the village, Robert is back!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_40050\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-40050\" style=\"width: 1500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-40050\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Robert Sugden outside the Woolpack 2025\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-1024x907.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-1300x1152.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-768x681.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-1536x1361.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/EMBARGO_EMMERDALE_02-2048x1815.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-40050\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There are a lot of questions for Robert to answer (Credit: ITV)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Robert\u2019s return<\/h2>\n<p>Of course, in true soap style, Robert chose the most dramatic moment to make an entrance \u2013 Aaron\u2019s wedding day!<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot has happened during this time in the village and for Robert,\u201d says Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert. \u201cTwo very different worlds, the village and Robert\u2019s reality in prison.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Robert\u2019s return also brings some big questions!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s Robert doing there, has he got ulterior motives, does he know something about John? How has he even found out that this wedding was taking place?\u201d muses Ryan. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot to unpick and so much to be revealed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So what will happen next? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/episode-recaps\/emmerdale-john-stays-do-they-get-married-everything-we-know\/\">How will Aaron choose between his former husband Robert \u2013 the love of his life \u2013 and newcomer John?<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a massive dilemma for Aaron, who\u2019s found John as a new love in his life and then he\u2019s got Robert, who used to be the love of his life, turn up!\u201d teases Ryan. \u201cHe\u2019s got a massive decision to make. I guess all the weight is on Aaron\u2019s shoulders.\u201d<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Danger?<\/h2>\n<p>Mind you, what no one knows is that John\u2019s a killer! So the decision could be out of Aaron\u2019s hands if John decides to make Robert his next victim!<\/p>\n<p>Is Robert in danger?!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Where has Ryan Hawley been?<\/h2>\n<p>Since he left Emmerdale, Ryan has been busy. He married Daisy Prestes de Oliveira in 2013, and the couple spent time living in Brazil before they returned to Britain. They have two sons together, born in 2021 and 2023.<\/p>\n<p>In 2021, Ryan appeared in Silent Witness, quickly followed by a role as Sid Crabtree in All Creatures Great and Small.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>He also played Jamie Cleveland in Casualty. Jamie was a predatory paedophile who\u2019d abused nurse Cam Mickelthwaite and his childhood friend Bobby Morton several years earlier.<\/p>\n<p>Jamie eventually died in a car accident, leaving Cam struggling with the knowledge that his abuser had never faced justice.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan says he\u2019s delighted to be back in Emmerdale.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u201cRejoining the cast of Emmerdale feels fantastic,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve been having so much fun being back here. Oddly, more fun than I thought it was going to be, in a good way.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve been filming some great stuff, there\u2019s a lot more to Robert\u2019s return than just the value of opening the door. I\u2019ve been having so much fun, everyone\u2019s been lovely, and there are a lot of familiar faces and loads of really positive energy about the place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t wait to see what happens next!<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/2024\/11\/05\/whos-leaving-emmerdale-complete-guide-exits-returns-newcomers\/\">Who\u2019s leaving, joining and returning to Emmerdale?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src-consent=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tZk1w-QqCOQ?si=5xf3ZIY7TDEpztgG&amp;controls=0\" data-consent-required=\"true\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Visit our Facebook page<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838\">\u00a0<b><i>@emmerdaleinsider<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>\u00a0for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter<\/i><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmmerdaleInside\">\u00a0<b><i>@emmerdaleinside<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Could Robert be killer John&#8217;s next victim?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734181,"featured_media":40053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Robert Sugden","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he's staying","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps 'legacy' characters. Born on-screen to one of the show's most iconic families.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale: Relationship with Aaron, why he's in prison and whether he will ever return","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","_secondary_title":"Robron are reunited! But will Robert be John&#039;s next victim?","secondary_post_title":"","dbc_origin_post_id":0,"dbc_origin_site_url":"","homepage_headline":"","excerpt":"","dbc_special_tags":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1359","slider_placement":"","_slider_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1359],"tags":[1386,1467],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-14013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-characters","tag-aaron-dingle","tag-robert-sugden"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.4 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#039;s staying<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps &#039;legacy&#039; characters. Born on-screen to one of the show&#039;s most iconic families.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale: Relationship with Aaron, why he&#039;s in prison and whether he will ever return\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps &#039;legacy&#039; characters. Born on-screen to one of the show&#039;s most iconic families.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Robert.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1980\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Kerry Barrett\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#039;s staying\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EmmerdaleInside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EmmerdaleInside\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Kerry Barrett\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Kerry Barrett\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/e1524d5b1dd8938e75df0e5104835b14\"},\"headline\":\"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\"},\"wordCount\":1523,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Aaron Dingle\",\"Robert Sugden\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Characters\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\",\"name\":\"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he's staying\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00\",\"description\":\"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps 'legacy' characters. Born on-screen to one of the show's most iconic families.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg\",\"width\":1980,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Robert Sugden is back (Credit: ITV)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/\",\"name\":\"Emmerdale Insider\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo.png\",\"width\":456,\"height\":172,\"caption\":\"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/EmmerdaleInside\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/e1524d5b1dd8938e75df0e5104835b14\",\"name\":\"Kerry Barrett\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d64b798277ed122bac74d318734de593\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cropped-Kerry-Barrett-scaled-1-96x96.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cropped-Kerry-Barrett-scaled-1-96x96.jpeg\",\"caption\":\"Kerry Barrett\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/\",\"kerrybean73\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kerry-barrett-3a353924\/\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/author\/kerrybarrett\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he's staying","description":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps 'legacy' characters. Born on-screen to one of the show's most iconic families.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale: Relationship with Aaron, why he's in prison and whether he will ever return","og_description":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps 'legacy' characters. Born on-screen to one of the show's most iconic families.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","og_site_name":"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838","article_published_time":"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1980,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Robert.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Kerry Barrett","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he's staying","twitter_creator":"@EmmerdaleInside","twitter_site":"@EmmerdaleInside","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Kerry Barrett","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/"},"author":{"name":"Kerry Barrett","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/e1524d5b1dd8938e75df0e5104835b14"},"headline":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying","datePublished":"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/"},"wordCount":1523,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg","keywords":["Aaron Dingle","Robert Sugden"],"articleSection":["Characters"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","url":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","name":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he's staying","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-29T10:21:36+00:00","dateModified":"2025-06-02T13:24:40+00:00","description":"Robert Sugden in Emmerdale is one of the soaps 'legacy' characters. Born on-screen to one of the show's most iconic families.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg","width":1980,"height":1080,"caption":"Robert Sugden is back (Credit: ITV)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/","name":"Emmerdale Insider","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#organization","name":"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories","url":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo.png","width":456,"height":172,"caption":"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61563250212838","https:\/\/x.com\/EmmerdaleInside"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/e1524d5b1dd8938e75df0e5104835b14","name":"Kerry Barrett","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/d64b798277ed122bac74d318734de593","url":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cropped-Kerry-Barrett-scaled-1-96x96.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/04\/cropped-Kerry-Barrett-scaled-1-96x96.jpeg","caption":"Kerry Barrett"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/","kerrybean73","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kerry-barrett-3a353924\/"],"url":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/author\/kerrybarrett\/"}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/emmerdale-insider.com\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying","url":"http:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG-150x150.jpg","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2024\/11\/ROB-SUG.jpg"},"articleSection":"Characters","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kerry Barrett"}],"creator":["Kerry Barrett"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories","logo":"https:\/\/emmerdale-insider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/cropped-EI_icons_3-8.png"},"keywords":["aaron dingle","robert sugden"],"dateCreated":"2025-05-29T10:21:36Z","datePublished":"2025-05-29T10:21:36Z","dateModified":"2025-06-02T13:24:40Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Robert Sugden: Why is he back? Where has he been? And the truth about how long he&#8217;s staying\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.tvguide.co.uk\\\/emmerdale-insider\\\/characters\\\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.tvguide.co.uk\\\/emmerdale-insider\\\/characters\\\/robert-sugden-why-back-where-truth-about-how-long-staying\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/ROB-SUG-150x150.jpg\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/11\\\/ROB-SUG.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Characters\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Kerry Barrett\"}],\"creator\":[\"Kerry Barrett\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Emmerdale Insider for spoilers, breaking news, first-look pictures, previews and fan theories\",\"logo\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emmerdale-insider.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/cropped-EI_icons_3-8.png\"},\"keywords\":[\"aaron dingle\",\"robert sugden\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2025-05-29T10:21:36Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-29T10:21:36Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-06-02T13:24:40Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/emmerdale-insider.com\/p.js"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/249734181"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14013"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14013\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40326,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14013\/revisions\/40326"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14013"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=14013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}