It’s been a long time coming – and tonight’s episode of Emmerdale will reveal who is Anthony Fox‘s killer. And there’s a long-line up of potential suspects, from vengeful son-in-law Caleb, to traumatised daughter Ruby and even Aaron Dingle, who suffered similar trauma himself. Meanwhile, a portion of the fanbase are hoping that it might be Steph who delivers the killing blow… or bullet.
Steph has been her grandfather’s most staunch defender, no matter the detriment to her poor mum’s mental health. Since arriving in the village, she’s pushed for Ruby to make nice with Anthony, unaware of the real reason for Ruby’s hurt.
Last night’s episode (Wednesday, January 22) saw Anthony squirm out of trouble as Caleb confronted him with a gun, scarpering as Cain arrived on the scene. He was then cornered by Aaron Dingle, and the outlook isn’t good.
With Anthony’s body set to be found tonight, he’s not long for the world. But who will kill Anthony? Could it be Steph?
Steph’s looking for Anthony… but did she find more than she bargained for? (Credit: ITV)
Steph should be Anthony Fox’s killer, Emmerdale fans demand
Sharing a wish-list of potential killers, a number of viewers insisted that Steph should be the one to kill Anthony – reasoning that it would make more sense than rumoured culprit Aaron.
“Personally I would prefer to see Steph as the killer. I don’t think Aaron has it in him especially after Robert,” wrote one fan.
“If Steph isn’t the one to shoot Anthony, then what is the point?” asked another.
Meanwhile, a third suggested that the emotion Anthony’s potential confession might evoke in Steph could be ‘nuclear.’ Might Steph overhear talk of Anthony’s crimes and kill her grandfather?
“Don’t forget Anthony dialled Steph’s mobile number from one of the depot’s office phones. He didn’t actually end that call. Aaron came in and said about having a chat. If the call connected, Steph heard the whole vile truth. The emotion that’d evoke in her. Nuclear,”
“I think Steph should kill him!” another wrote.
The outlook’s not good for Anthony (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale spoilers tonight: Anthony’s body is found
And, as they worry about being held responsible for Anthony’s disappearance, a panicking Laurel and Nicola try to track him down – unaware that he’s already dead.
Follow our Facebook page @EmmerdaleInsider for the latest Emmerdale spoilers, news and gossip. Or find us on Twitter @EmmerdaleInside. We want to hear your thoughts!
Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale has personal history of sexual abuse after his own dad, Gordon Livesy, subjected him to it as a child.
So now he has cornered abuser Anthony Fox at Caleb’s depot he wants answers over his treatment of Ruby Fox-Miligan. Although Aaron has not been told anything directly, he knows exactly what Anthony is – and how he’s lying to cover it up.
Viewers will remember that Aaron recently opened up to boyfriend John Sugden about his childhood abuse. And when the awful truth about who had raped Ruby dawned on Chas, it was because of her own experience helping son Aaron fight for justice.
So what happened with Aaron and his dad in Emmerdale, and where is his abuser Gordon now?
Aaron is disgusted when he finds out the truth about Anthony after his own childhood experiences (Credit: ITV)
Aaron’s troubled childhood
Aaron was a troubled youngster. He had a rocky relationship with his mum, Chas, and grew up with his dad and his wife, Sandra.
His regular visits to Emmerdale usually brought drama but Aaron eventually moved to the village and started to repair his relationship with Chas.
As a teenager, Aaron struggled with his sexuality. He tried to kiss his best friend Adam Barton, but then got involved with Adam’s sister Holly.
Adam wasn’t keen on the romance, but not because he cared about his best mate’s sexuality. Instead he told Aaron he thought he was gay, and he didn’t want him using his sister.
Aaron and Jackson
Realising Adam could be right, Aaron broke up with Holly and started going to a gay bar which is where he met Jackson Walsh (played by Marc Silcock, who had been in Emmerdale previously as Bob Hope’s son, Josh).
Meanwhile, Aaron’s surrogate dad, Paddy, was concerned that the one-time troubled young man was sneaking around. He uncovered Aaron’s secret and in return, Aaron beat Paddy up!
But Aaron eventually accepted he was gay and started a relationship with Jackson. Though their happiness didn’t last as Jackson was paralysed in an accident and later took his own life.
Aaron faced his abuser, dad Gordon, in court (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Aaron Dingle abused by his dad in Emmerdale
After a LOT of drama, Aaron finally got together with Robert Sugden and the pair seemed made for one another.
As they settled down together, Aaron felt secure enough to reveal another part of his childhood. He told Robert that he’d been sexually abused by his dad, Gordon.
He revealed it started after his dad had lost his job and Aaron was misbehaving. Gordon did it to teach Aaron a lesson. He told Aaron he wasn’t to tell anyone or else he would do it again.
Things got better when Gordon married Sandra Flaherty and they had daughter, Liv. But when Aaron once again got into trouble at school, Gordon raped him again, to bring him into line. It happened a third time when Aaron rowed with Sandra and Gordon wanted to punish him.
Aaron later went to live with Chas and didn’t see Gordon again until he was an adult. When Chas and Gordon started dating again, Aaron began self-harming. His cuts got infected and that’s when he revealed what had happened to him as a child.
With Robert’s support, Aaron bravely faced up to his childhood trauma. Gordon tried to claim Aaron was suffering from false memory syndrome and making it all up. But Aaron stayed strong and told his mum what had happened.
Chas went round to confront Gordon and though he denied it at first, he eventually turned aggressive and confessed. Chas told Cain, who tried to kill Gordon. But Chas and Aaron stopped him and Aaron reported his father to the police for the abuse.
Chas Dingle helped her son Aaron stand up to his evil dad in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Gordon continued to manipulate
Gordon was charged, though he denied it. So Aaron was forced to go to court and give evidence against his abusive father.
Wanting to make sure the case was watertight, Robert paid a young lad named Ryan to lie that Gordon has assualted him too. Gordon was sure Chas was behind the set-up and violently slammed her against a wall. Aaron was furious about the deal and made sure Ryan retracted his statement.
Gordon was pleased as it made his case all-the-more stronger. He had been suffering from cancer and was using the side-effects to look frail and it got him released on bail at his plea hearing.
After reconnecting with daughter Liv, he started using her to spy on Aaron and get dirt on her brother. But Liv wisened up and told Aaron. He confronted his dad and told him he would see him in court.
Though Gordon was found guilty, Aaron feels justice wasn’t done (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Was Aaron denied justice in Emmerdale after his abuse by his dad?
In court, Liv turned on her dad and helped secure the conviction. Gordon was sent to jail for 18 years, Aaron changed his name to Dingle and tried to move on with his life.
However, during the party to celebrate his name change, the police arrived to inform Aaron his dad had been found dead in his cell. Although it was believed Robert had paid to have him killed it turned out Gordon took his own life by hanging himself.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinsider
*Warning: Emmerdale spoilers follow from the Thursday January 23 episode, which is available now on ITVX, but has not yet aired on ITV*
Emmerdale spoilers from tonight’s episode have revealed Anthony is dead – and who his killer is. But speculation has already begun that all is not as it seems.
There was a clean-up operation and the body was hidden, but who really killed him?
Anthony was stunned to see Aaron there (Credit: ITV)
What happened in Emmerdale last night?
After a game of Russian Roulette with Caleb on Wednesday January 22, Anthony inexplicably managed to run away from his gun-wielding son-in-law. Cain talked Caleb out of going after him and Anthony limped his way to the depot hoping to find Steph.
But she wasn’t there and the place was in darkness due to an electrical fault. Anthony let himself in and tried to use the office phone to call his granddaughter. Only Aaron Dingle was there waiting for him.
He menacingly told Anthony he wanted them to have a little chat.
Emmerdale spoilers from earlier in the week had made it seem like Caleb shot him (Credit: ITV)
Anthony killed in Emmerdale spoilers
For the first time all week, Anthony seemed genuinely scared when confronted by Aaron. After Anthony finally confessed what he did, Aaron beat him a little, but then told him they were going to the police instead.
However Anthony made crass remarks about both Ruby’s willingness and Aaron’s relationship with his dad, Gordon. It sent Aaron over the edge and he violently lashed out, unable to control himself.
He left Anthony battered on the floor, missing a tooth, but still alive.
Aaron then went home, confessed to John what he did, who insisted they had to go and help Anthony. But when they got there, Anthony was dead. John dealt with the situation as distraught Aaron couldn’t believe he’d become a murderer. But has he?
Did Aaron really kill Anthony? (Credit: ITV)
Speculation over Anthony’s killer in Emmerdale
Fans online who have already watched the ITVX early release episode aren’t so sure all is as it seems. There was a lot of time between Aaron leaving Anthony alive and going back to find him dead.
“Someone got to Anthony in the depot after Aaron left him there,” said one on social media.
Another agreed (cryptically!): “I don’t buy it with a certain character…Someone else got there first before they went back too a certain place.”
“So… I don’t think the killer is the killer… we didn’t actually see him kill Anthony,” added a third.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
With half the village out to get him, someone finds Anthony dead in Emmerdale spoilers tonight (Thursday, January 23). Anthony has had a rollercoaster of a week, first being bashed over the head by Laurel during a confrontation with Nicola, then threatened with a gun by Caleb. And, as he managed to wriggle free of one Dingle retribution, he was cornered ‘for a chat’ by Aaron.
It’s a long list of suspects – but who really killed Anthony?
Elsewhere, Dawn finds Joe Tate unconscious in his car. And, as her betrayal begins to eat her up inside, Dawn prepares to confess to Billy about her infidelity.
And, with Anthony still missing, Nicola’s visit to A& E raises suspicions.
Read our Emmerdale spoilers tonight in full below.
1. Anthony is found dead in Emmerdale spoilers
Following the events of last night, someone finds Anthony dead. But who killed him?
Dawn finds Joe passed out in his car (Credit: ITV)
2. Dawn finds Joe in a state
Dawn is shocked when she finds a semi-conscious Joe slumped at the wheel of his car. A mysterious bottle of pills lie on the floor next to him.
What has Joe done?
A nervous Dawn steels herself to confess all to Billy (Credit: ITV)
3. Dawn prepares to confess
With her guilt taking its toll, Dawn prepares to tell Billy that she cheated on him – but will she go through with her confession?
Nicola pops by A&E (Credit: ITV)
4. Nicola raises suspicions in Emmerdale spoilers tonight
Emmerdale tonight revealed Anthony had not been shot and escaped Caleb (who also survived). But then the vile abuser found himself cornered by Aaron…
Also, Caleb was struggling to process the revelation about Cain and Ruby. He didn’t confront his family, but can he get past it?
Elsewhere, Nicola and Laurel were still panicking and Joe and Dawn were covering up.
Here’s everything that happened in Emmerdale tonight, Wednesday January 22.
The gunshot outcome was revealed in Emmerdale tonight
Caleb couldn’t look at Cain as he tried to process everything (Credit: ITV)
Cain ran to save the day
Cain ran into the barn to find out why a gun went off. He saw Anthony running away and Caleb holding a gun. It turned out neither Caleb nor Anthony got hit. The gun had gone off, but when Caleb bent down to pick it up, Anthony got past him. But the way Caleb was being with Cain made it clear Anthony’s revelation was playing on his mind.
Cain tried to talk some sense into Caleb, telling him to let the police deal with Anthony. But Caleb insisted that couldn’t happen as Steph could never find out the truth.
Cain offered to team up with Caleb to go after him together, but Caleb was talking in riddles. He clearly doesn’t know whether to believe Anthony’s claims over Cain and Ruby’s ‘affair’ or not, especially as Cain assured him they were blood and he always had his back.
Caleb kept it together – just
Cain took Caleb home and Ruby was horrified to see he had a gun. She told him he had to leave it and their priority must be Steph.
Caleb was still being shirty with Cain and despite Cain’s reassurance to Ruby Caleb didn’t know anything, we all know he does.
Caleb then told Ruby no one else would ever find out and Steph would never know… So how long do we reckon before Steph finds out?
Aaron wanted answers over Anthony’s behaviour towards Ruby in Emmerdale tonight (Credit: ITV)
Anthony confronted by someone else
Ruby was rushing around looking for Steph, desperate to make amends. But Aaron accosted her in the village and bombarded her with questions over her dad. He knew something was wrong and he’d seen the same look in her eyes he knew so well from his own experiences with his dad, Gordon.
Meanwhile, Anthony had hobbled over to the depot, but his phone battery had gone dead, so he couldn’t contact Steph. As he went inside a car pulled up and Anthony soon found Aaron waiting for him. “I think it’s about time me and you had a little chat, he told him as the credits rolled…
Nicola was on clean-up duty while Laurel struggled to cope (Credit: ITV)
Nicola went full CSI in Emmerdale tonight
Nicola and Laurel were doing a clean-up job at the house to remove the evidence. CSI superfan Nicola was on the case as Laurel was whining and staring longingly at a wine bottle.
Steph then turned up just as they finished cleaning. She wanted to know if they’d seen her grandad. Laurel was feeling sick and worried – but really it was self-defence, so we don’t know why they’re in such a panic.
Joe and Dawn put their clothes back on as they agreed to cover their liaison up (Credit: ITV)
Dawn had regrets – or did she?
Joe and Dawn got dressed after their intimate liaison, with Dawn already feeling the guilt as she did up her boots. Sidenote: how does Joe keep his carpet so white when they’re all walking around in outdoor shoes everywhere?
Anyway, Dawn wasn’t sure if she could trust Joe, but he assured her he is a changed man. Promise.
They were then unable to escape the bedroom because Lydia was directly outside hoovering. Not to bang on about carpets, but she seemed to be vaccuming that one spot for a really long time – there’ll be nothing left of it.
Joe then opened up about why he blamed Charity for his dad’s death and told Dawn his life story. He admitted he was lonely so came back to be with family.
Dawn then revealed her own past – living in a crack den and having her son taken away by social services. And Lydia finished hoovering so Dawn escaped.
But then Billy returned home with Evan and Dawn fawned over him in front of an understanding Joe. She claimed they would never sleep together again, but we all know that’s not true, don’t we?!
Joe was unfazed by Charity’s anger over the watch (Credit: ITV)
Also in Emmerdale tonight…
Charity spotted Noah’s watch and his story about getting an advance on his salary didn’t wash. She immediately went round to confront Joe. Charity insisted he drop the act and stay away from her son.
Joe had absolutely no intention of doing so, though, and immediately arranged to meet Noah for a drink. He called him ‘bro’ which was a bit disconcerting, but still.
As he went to leave, Joe had a wobble and once again we’re left wondering, what is wrong with him.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Emmerdale cast member Danny Miller has opened up about why Aaron could be driven to murder as Anthony is killed in the show.
Aaron Dingle has suffered a lot over the years. Now it seems his past is catching up with him. And the thought of anyone suffering the same abuse he did as a child is too much for him to bear.
Emmerdale cast member Danny Miller has revealed just what Aaron’s motives would be for killing Anthony, and whether he thinks Aaron is actually capable of murder.
Aaron is disgusted when he finds out the truth (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale cast star Danny Miller on Aaron’s realisation
Back in 2016, Emmerdale embarked on a heartbreaking storyline for fan-favourite Aaron when they brought his dad back. After keeping it in for so long, Aaron finally confided in Robert Sugden about the sexual abuse he faced growing up.Â
What followed was a long and emotional journey where Aaron, with the support of the rest of his family, faced his disgusting dad in court. And thankfully, Gordon got sent down. But, his time in prison wasn’t long, as he ended up taking his own life shortly after the sentencing. Leaving Aaron with even more emotions to deal with.
Now, as Aaron has just realised the truth of what’s happened between Ruby and vile Anthony, he sees red. And wants to get revenge.
Danny Miller explained that while Aaron wasn’t aware of the situation before now, he has ‘always been wary of Anthony.’ And that could be down to ‘an instinct from experience.’
When Aaron spotted the altercation between Ruby and Anthony, he knew deep down what was going on.
Danny added: “He knows the difference of scared looks from his experience. And that’s exactly what he sees in Ruby – he sees himself.”
Danny thinks Aaron has motive for Anthony’s murder (Credit: ITV)
Could Aaron kill Anthony?
As soon as Aaron realises, Danny explains he is ‘instantly aggressive and destined for revenge.’ Not only does he see it as a chance to defend Ruby, but it’s also ‘his chance to level with Gordon. Who took the ‘coward’s way out’ as Aaron calls it.’
The revelation obviously brings back horrific times for Aaron, and Danny knows his character would worry about how to cope.
He said: “It’s pure disgust and dread as to how he’ll deal with this. And it brings back so many evil and dark memories for Aaron that he had suppressed for many years.”
We know Anthony ends up dead, so could Aaron kill him? Danny seems to think there’s plenty of reasons why he would.
“Having experienced the same abuse and disgusting acts, he never got the justice he deserved or that Gordon deserved. The motive is there in plain sight,” Danny commented.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.Â
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm on ITV3.Â
Follow our Facebook page @EmmerdaleInsider for the latest Emmerdale cast news, spoilers and gossip. Or find us on Twitter @EmmerdaleInside. We want to know your thoughts!
*Warning: Emmerdale spoilers follow from the Wednesday January 22 episode, which is available now on ITVX, but has not yet aired on ITV*
Emmerdale spoilers from the ITVX early release episode on Wednesday January 22 have confirmed the outcome of the shooting in the barn. Anthony Fox and Caleb Miligan were last seen locked in a game of Russian Roulette that saw Caleb pointing a gun at his father-in-law’s head.
But viewers did not know who had been shot.
Anthony was not at all sorry for the hurt and pain he has caused (Credit: ITV)
What happened in Emmerdale last night?
Last night (Tuesday January 21), Caleb had tracked down Anthony and driven him to one of Moira’s barns. There he had pulled a gun on his father-in-law and demanded he tell the truth about what he did to Ruby.
Anthony tried to talk his way out of it, claimed Ruby was lying and that as a care home kid, Caleb had no idea how real families worked. But Caleb didn’t buy any of it. He loaded the gun with one bullet and every time Anthony lied or insulted Ruby, Caleb pulled the trigger.
However when Anthony finally confessed – but with no remorse whatsoever, it was revealed the gun was empty. Caleb had just wanted him to feel the same terror Ruby had all those years ago and since.
But then Caleb loaded the gun for real. Anthony played his trump card and revealed Cain and Ruby were sleeping together. In Caleb’s moment of confusion at the revelation, Anthony lunged for the weapon and it went off. The action immediately cut to Cain arriving outside. And that was the ending so we were left wondering who got shot. Was Anthony finally dead?
The gun went off in a struggle, but it was not revealed whether Caleb or Anthony got shot (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale spoilers confirm outcome of the gunshot
Well, it turns out the answer is no. Anthony managed to escape.
The action picked up as Cain raced into the barn to find Anthony running into the fields and Caleb brandishing a gun.
Neither of them had been hit. The gun had gone off when Anthony tried to grab it off him. Caleb then bent down to pick it up, but Anthony got past him and fled.
Caleb still wanted to go after his father-in-law, but Cain talked him out of it and they headed home, where Caleb was making barbed comments about Cain being the saviour. But he didn’t confront his brother or wife over what he had been told.
Aaron has good reason to be against Anthony (Credit: ITV)
New twist at the end of Emmerdale tonight
Although Anthony got away, he only hobbled as far as the depot, where his plan was to contact Steph. But his phone died.
Inside, as he tried to use the office phone, he was confronted by a menacing Aaron Dingle. Aaron had put two and two together and worked everything out. He knows what Anthony is and he is out to punish him.
So what happens next? Will Aaron finish Anthony off?
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Meanwhile, Dawn couldn’t keep away from Joe and the pair ended up kissing again.
Here’s everything that happened in Emmerdale tonight, Tuesday January 21.
Caleb held Anthony at gunpoint in Emmerdale tonight
Anthony tried to talk his way out of everything by blaming Ruby (Credit: ITV)
Caleb got to the truth – all of it
Caleb drove Anthony to a barn on Moira’s farm and ordered him out of the car at gun point. Anthony brazened it out as Caleb held the gun on him and told him to tell the truth.
He tried to make out Ruby was lying, but Caleb wasn’t budging, he wanted the truth.
Although Anthony did convince him to put the gun down, Caleb still wouldn’t listen as Anthony protested it was all in Ruby’s head. Caleb then played Russian Roulette – one bullet in the gun, six chambers. The first shot was empty.
Anthony hit back that Caleb just didn’t understand family life as he was brought up in a care home. Shots two, three and four were fired and empty too.
As it came down to 50-50, Anthony started to admit what he did. And he continued to try to talk his way into saving his life. But then he started talking about how Ruby used to flaunt herself and it was all her fault causing Caleb to shoot. That one was empty too, meaning it had to be the next one.
Except it wasn’t, because Caleb had taken all the bullets out, just wanting Anthony to feel the terror Ruby had.
Meanwhile Steph was getting worried as to why her grandad hadn’t turned up to meet her. She once again attacked Ruby over it – whinged that her mum wished she’d never been born and stormed off again.
When will Steph actually act her age and question exactly why her mum looks so traumatised? Can’t she stop behaving like a spoilt brat for five minutes?
Did Caleb shoot? (Credit: ITV)
A shot was fired
Elsewhere Cain went to visit Ruby and revealed he knew the truth about Anthony. He stepped up to support Ruby and insisted he would stop Caleb doing anything stupid.
As he searched the village for them, Aaron approached, wanting to know exactly what was going on.
Back at the barn, Cain had tracked them down and was outside when he heard a gunshot. Inside, Anthony had made a lunge for the gun, but were either of them hurt?
Joe and Dawn can’t resist each other as they kissed in Emmerdale tonight (Credit: ITV)
Dawn gave in to Joe in Emmerdale tonight
Joe presented Dawn with a laptop, but Dawn told him she wasn’t going to work with him and he could stick his job. He seemed unfazed and told her to give him a week. He gave Dawn some work to do and she smashed it, leaving Kim impressed. But then Kim confirmed Joe had been behind her hiring and Dawn was cross.
Dawn burst into his room as he was changing to confront him. But he used the opportunity to seduce her and she did not fight him off. Well, you wouldn’t, would you?!
Also in Emmerdale tonight…
Laurel panicked
Laurel was still in panic mode, despite Nicola’s reassurance that she did nothing wrong and all she did was try to save her. Honestly, if we’re about to have weeks of Laurel wittering on about her guilt, we’re not here for it.
Later, Laurel tried to tell the police, but Nicola convinced her not to. She laid into Nicola and continued to witter on and on.
The lights went out…
At the depot the lights are out which cleared the whole place (conveniently for later in the week we suspect).
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
Emmerdale has had some villains in its time and Anthony Fox, played by actor Nicholas Day is right up there with the best/worst of them. In fact, he may have created the most vile, disgusting and difficult-to-watch character ever, which is no mean feat given the other baddies the show has produced.
We really thought Tom King was the lowest of the low, but in fact we were wrong. Anthony beats him 10 times over – and that’s all credit to Nicholas Day for such a chilling performance.
From the moment he arrived we were unsure about Anthony (Credit: ITV)
Nicholas Day as Anthony Fox in Emmerdale
Although actor Nicholas Day has had a long and varied career both on stage and screen, he was relatively unknown to the Emmerdale audience when he arrived in the Dales. A part in the Crown and roles in Murder Maps, The Wolfman and The Lakes were perhaps his best-known roles.
But now he will forever be etched in our brains as horrid Anthony Fox.
Anthony came to Emmerdale to reunite with estranged daughter Ruby Fox-Miligan last year. He arrived alongside granddaughter, Steph Miligan
Ruby and Caleb were desperate to reunite with Steph, but she made it very clear Anthony came as part of the package. Given she hadn’t spoken to her dad for 30 years, Ruby found this difficult to swallow.
The official story is that Anthony and Ruby’s mum, Helen, threw Ruby out when she fell pregnant at 16. They gave her a choice between keeping her baby or staying at home and she chose Caleb and the baby.
Since his return, Anthony has spent months pretending to Ruby he’s sorry and gaslighting her into thinking she was the problem.
As everyone around her urged her to give her dad another chance, especially as he has terminal prostate cancer, Ruby stood firm. It came to the point where even husband Caleb urged her to let it go.
But while no one in the village could see the hell Ruby was going through, viewers certainly could – and they were proved right when flashbacks revealed Anthony had sexually abused Ruby and it started when she was just 14.
A rape on her 16th birthday had – horrifyingly – resulted in the birth of Steph. Anthony is Steph’s real father.
He’s charming, kind and generous – but not behind the scenes (Credit: ITV)
So what makes Nicholas Day such a good villain?
The entire time Anthony has been in the village, he has charmed the pants off everyone around him. Even Caleb, who knows him of old, was won over by his father-in-law.
Anthony has painted this perfect persona of kind and generous. He donated £5000 to the April search fund and has even been helping half the village kids with their homework.
But behind closed doors, he has been blackmailing Ruby over her fling with Cain. He has made vile comments and veiled threats towards her. His mere presence has been making her feel physically sick, let alone when he tries to touch her.
Villains don’t have to be murderous or out there, the ones that have us believe they are something else are far more terrifying. Take Meena Jutla for example: she was always a bit out there, crazy and unpredictable. Whereas Anthony comes across as just a kindly old man – something he is not.
Caleb wants his father-in-law dead, but will he go through with it? (Credit: ITV)
Fans love to hate Nicholas Day as Anthony in Emmerdale
The mark of a good villain is what the viewers think. Soap fans are a hard bunch to please and the overwhelming consensus is Nicholas Day is a brilliant actor.
“The actor playing Anthony is such a credit to his art, aren’t we all totally repulsed by him? Superb,” said one on social media.
Another added: “Gutted Nicholas Day will be leaving despite what the storyline is about; Anthony the abusive father of Ruby will be happy when he’s gone, but well done Nicholas an incredible part.”
“He has played Anthony brilliantly, hats off to him great acting to play a part like that, can’t be easy,” said a third. A fourth then agreed: “I feel so sorry for Nicholas Day – he’s playing the part so well that he’s probably getting women walloping him with bags of potato waffles in Iceland.”
A further commenter has said: “In storylines like this the person playing the hated character gets overlooked. Nicholas Day is a fantastic actor. The character he portrays makes my skin crawl, which is a sure indication an actor is doing a good job!”
“The actor playing her dad is brilliant too. He makes my skin crawl,” added one more.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
What do you think of Nicholas Day? Visit our Facebook page@emmerdaleinsider to let us know and for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside
This week sparks the end of Anthony Fox in Emmerdale as he is killed off as part of a big whodunnit story. But a new fan theory has predicted that Anthony will end his own life.
Anthony arrived in the village a few months ago and viewers quickly discovered that he had abused his daughter Ruby when she was young.
While there are many people in the village, including Ruby Fox-Miligan herself, who’d like to see Anthony dead, viewers are predicting a huge twist.
Caleb points a gun at Anthony (Credit: ITV)
Anthony Fox in Emmerdale
Shortly after Anthony arrived in the Dales, a special flashback episode revealed that Anthony had sexually abused Ruby when she was a child.
In the flashback scene, a young Ruby was seen celebrating her 16th birthday. Her father then approached her in her bedroom, while Ruby begged “not again, not today.”
Ruby had kept the secret for over 30 years, but last week she bravely confronted her father over what he had put her through. She also ordered a DNA test, which horrifically revealed that Anthony is Steph Miligan’s real father.
Chas and Caleb soon figured out the truth and news started to spread around the village about Anthony’s history. After Caleb ordered Anthony to get into his car, a flash forward scene showed a bloodied Anthony dead on the floor.
Caleb threatens Anthony with a gun, and Ruby, Chas, Cain, Aaron, Laurel and Nicola also all have motive, but will any of them kill Anthony?
Will Anthony take his own life? (Credit: ITV)
New whodunnit fan theory
Emmerdale fans have suggested that the culprit could be Anthony himself.
Taking to X, a fan wrote: “Money on Anthony being that out of it after all the batterings, he gets the gun, fumbles and shoots himself. All major characters survive a jail sentence.”
Another fan had a similar idea, writing: “I think Anthony tries to grab the gun and it goes off.”
A third fan wrote: “Caleb hands the gun to Anthony and tells him to do the right thing.”
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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