Emmerdale fans were left stunned as Robert Sugden’s dramatic return to the village ended in devastating consequences, marking two major setbacks that could change his fate for good. While his reappearance at Aaron Dingle and John Sugden’s wedding initially sparked excitement and nostalgia among longtime viewers, it quickly spiraled into heartbreak, tension, and legal turmoil.

Robert unexpectedly crashed Aaron’s wedding just as he was about to marry his new love, John — who also happens to be Robert’s half-brother. Though Aaron was initially furious to see Robert walk back into his life after years apart, old emotions quickly reignited. A passionate kiss between the exes hinted at unresolved feelings, but the moment of intimacy came at a cost.

Robert explained that he had recently won an appeal after spending six years in prison for the murder of Lee Posner. His defense hinged on the claim that Lee’s death might not have been entirely his fault, with blame also falling on a violent altercation involving Lee’s brother, Luke. However, despite gaining temporary freedom, Robert’s obsession with reclaiming Aaron’s love quickly derailed his second chance.

What followed was a heated confrontation between Robert and John, with Robert giving Aaron a painful ultimatum — choose between them. In an emotionally charged moment, Aaron ultimately chose John, dismissing the earlier kiss as a mistake. Though John nearly called the wedding off, Aaron returned at the last minute, and the couple officially tied the knot without further disruptions.

But while Aaron and John’s story moved forward, Robert’s world came crashing down. In his emotional pursuit of Aaron, Robert missed his first probation meeting, a critical condition of his early release. To make matters worse, he was reported to authorities — and he strongly suspects John tipped them off out of jealousy or spite.

Robert was quickly arrested for violating the terms of his license. The hopeful reunion quickly turned into a nightmare as he was taken back into custody. A disheartened Robert later called his sister, Victoria, breaking the news that he would be returning to prison for an indefinite period.

This tragic turn of events delivers a double setback for Robert: not only did he fail to win back Aaron’s heart, but he also jeopardized his freedom, possibly for good. What was meant to be a bold act of love ended up costing him everything.

Yet, despite this crushing blow, Robert’s story may not be over. His return, while short-lived, stirred up unresolved feelings and opened old wounds — especially between him, Aaron, and John. With the emotional fallout still raw and his legal situation fragile, viewers are left to wonder: Will Robert fight back again? Could secrets about Lee’s death resurface to change his fate? And is John really as innocent as he seems?

Meanwhile, as Aaron and John head off on their honeymoon, the village is about to face a sinister twist with far-reaching consequences — suggesting that Robert’s reappearance may have set off a much bigger chain reaction than anyone anticipated.