The village of Emmerdale has just erupted with the return of John Sugden – the notorious serial killer who once terrorized the entire community.

But this return isn’t simply about revenge – it’s a chilling psychological game where John uses old memories as weapons to manipulate his new victim: Aaron Dingle.

The story begins when the villagers believe John is dead or has fled abroad, only for him to suddenly reappear in the village – lurking in the shadows, watching Aaron’s every move.

In a scene that sent chills down fans’ spines, John stands outside the pub while Aaron is asleep, softly whispering, “Next year will be our year.”

From then on, Aaron gradually falls into a spiral of panic, constantly feeling like someone is watching him, but no one believes him.

Things get worse when Kev Sugden, Robert’s ex-husband, is kidnapped by John. He ties Kev up in a cold cellar, forcing him to record a video apologizing and “confessing” to things he never did. The scene of John laughing coldly, knife in hand, whispering to Kev, “You owe me your soul,” sends chills down viewers’ spines. Fans compare John to the “Hannibal Lecter of Yorkshire.”

Aaron later discovers an item belonging to Kev left behind in his house – a sign that John is trying to draw him into his game. Overwhelmed by fear and guilt, Aaron suffers from insomnia, hallucinating about Robert, blood, and footsteps in the night. ITV confirms this is the beginning of Aaron Dingle’s darkest psychological arc to date, and could lead to a tragic twist in Corriedale. The biggest question: Can Aaron survive facing John again, or will he be completely consumed by his past and haunting memories?