If there is an old Emmerdale The character we love to hear about is Robert Sugden (played by Ryan Hawley), and his name has been right to come up once again in recent weeks.

Ross Barton (Michael Parr) revealed the off-screen death of Rebecca White (Emily Head)which led her and Robert’s young son, Seb, to go and live with his aunt.

This all came as a shock to Robert’s sister Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) and her ex-husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller). Although the latter is currently dating Vic and Robert’s new half-brother John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), Aaron couldn’t help but reminisce about happier times with Robert and Seb.

John felt like an outsider and Victoria encouraged him to talk to Aaron. This didn’t go well, with Aaron hesitant to talk about Robert.

He eventually began to open up, but claimed he no longer loved Robert. However, John’s critical assessment of Robert’s murderous actions led Aaron to say that John had no idea what he was talking about, before throwing him out of his house.

John is unaware that Robert actually killed the man who raped Victoria. Although Robert is serving a 14-year prison sentence, he’s already served five years, and in the soap realm, it’s certainly credible that he could get an early release.

Here at RadioTimes.comwe’ve looked at exactly why Emmerdale needs Robert back. So join us to imagine what the iconic character could bring to the village all these years later.

5 reasons why Emmerdale needs Robert Sugden’s return more than ever

1. Challenge John Sugden

We already have I thought maybe John isn’t who he says he is. – after all, there has been no outside evidence that he is actually the son of the late Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby).

While it wasn’t unusual for womanizer Jack to have yet another fling, we’re not entirely convinced by John – even though he’s now, apparently, explained who Aidan Moore is.

He could still be lying, whether it’s about his identity or his true intentions, and Robert would be the perfect person to reveal the truth!

We also cannot ignore that John followed a frightening pattern, with events copying Aaron’s memorable relationship with Robert; from that meeting on the country road to the hiding place in the barn – and there are more parallels to come.

Was John already aware of Aaron and Robert’s colorful history together, or is the repetitive story a mere coincidence?

Either way, something doesn’t quite ring true with John, and Robert is exactly the person we want to see acting!

2. Reuniting with Aaron Dingle

Emmerdale enjoyed one of the soap world’s greatest love stories with ‘Robron’, and the affection for the couple is still alive and well.

Although Robert and Aaron started out as a truly toxic affair, Robert later redeemed himself and Aaron sought help for his mental health, leading them to create a stable and loving family unit.

While the couple had settled into a happy marriage, it was time for Robert to step down and, of course, they realistically had to be separated.

But Aaron’s romances since then haven’t had the depth and soulmate status that he had with Robert — because of course, they are each other’s loves.

If Robert were to make a return, a possible reunion with Aaron would have to be considered.

The partnership between Miller and Hawley is certainly worth revisiting, and RadioTimes.com the readers themselves elected Robron as the best soap opera couple of all time!

3. Raising your son Seb White

Seb now lives in Bristol, with Robert having approved the move shortly after Rebecca’s death. Victoria and Aaron were saddened that they weren’t involved, and it seemed odd that Vic, at least, hadn’t been informed or asked to help care for Seb.

But if Robert returned and gained custody of Seb, order could be restored and the little boy could still stay in touch with Rebecca’s family with regular visits to his great-aunt – as well as his step-grand- mother Diane Sugden (Elizabeth Estensen) in Portugal.

Seb is a legacy character, and it’s a shame he isn’t part of village life to keep the family name alive. This can only happen full-time if Robert manages to raise Seb.

4. Reconnecting with Sister Victoria Sugden

Let’s be real, Victoria has been a lost soul these last few years! Her short-lived romance with Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) was a pointless plot device, and although she has found another sibling in John (or is he?), she is still sidelined.

John just isn’t interested in all the family history Vic wants to share, but she had a strong bond with Robert that we miss dearly.

Victoria was at her best when she was mischievously intruding into Robert’s life and having regular interactions with him, and she needs that extra stability in Robert’s presence.

Even when he was not stable, Victoria kept him on the ground; and these days, Victoria needs more fun in her dull life.

5. Reviving the Sugden Dynasty

Between the strangeness of John’s presence, Victoria’s lack of screen time and niece Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill) barely recognizing that she’s a member of the original Emmerdale clan, the show clearly needs of Robert’s return to restore the Sugdens to their former glory.

At the moment, it’s hard not to wonder what the point was in bringing John into the fold, and whether he really East Son of Jack, he needs more than Victoria around him.

Somehow, Robert could rekindle what made the Sugdens so beloved in the first place, with those powerful family bonds that are sorely lacking.

Learn more:

Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.

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