While the villagers are busy decorating their Christmas trees, a name from hell returns: John Sugden.

The name that once sent shivers down Emmerdale’s spine with a series of murders in 2024 appears in the Christmas episode, and within minutes, he has sown terror throughout the Dales.

According to ITVX, John escaped from prison with the help of Caleb Miligan.

In the snowy darkness, he emerges outside the Woolpack pub, watching the villagers celebrate through the window – a scene both peaceful and chilling.

Things take a turn for the worse when Kev Townsend – Robert Sugden’s newlywed husband – disappears after the party. The next morning, Kev’s phone is found under a bridge, and John is caught on CCTV around the Sugden neighborhood. Fans believe Kev has become the first prey in John’s new “hunt.”

But that’s not all. In the episode’s final scene, John sneaks into Aaron Dingle’s room and whispers, “Next year, you’ll be mine.” A line that sent the internet into a frenzy. Will Aaron be the next victim? Or will he be the only one to dare confront the killer who terrorized the village?