The Christmas atmosphere in Dales village was chilled to the bone as John Sugden – the killer who once terrorized the area – officially returned.

His appearance wasn’t a celebration, but a signal for a long, bloody night ahead.

In the shocking opening scene, Kev – Robert Sugden’s ex-husband – is preparing to shoot Robert out of revenge when John emerges from the shadows.

Instead of saving him, he ties Kev up, gags him, and leaves him abandoned in a dilapidated house in the woods, leaving behind a scrawled message in blood: “I’m back, and this time no one will escape.”

This act terrified the villagers, especially Aaron Dingle, who had a haunting connection with John. As Aaron drifted off to sleep after a drunken stupor, he heard someone whispering in his ear: “We’ll be together next year.” This haunting scene sent chills down viewers’ spines.

Fans immediately split into factions: some believed John returned because of his twisted love for Aaron, while others speculated he wanted revenge on the entire Sugden family. Whatever the reason, John’s return undoubtedly plunged Emmerdale into its darkest period in years. ITV confirmed he will be central to the “CorrieDale” crossover in early 2026, promising to turn the Dales into a new battleground between love, guilt, and blood.