Emmerdale bosses FINALLY confirm Robert Sugden's exit after months of rumours

Could this mark the end of Robron?

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 10th Jul 2019

Emmerdale fans were devastated when rumours that Ryan Hawley AKA Robert Sugden could be leaving the soap began to circulate. Thankfully, nothing was confirmed by show bosses, meaning it could be another soap exit rumour without substance, considering what a fan-favourite Robert is.

However, at an event yesterday, Emmerdale producers confirmed to us and other publications that Ryan WOULD be leaving the show - meaning that this could mark the end of Robron, Robert's relationship with his husband, Aaron Dingle.

Producer Laura Shaw said, "Ryan Hawley is leaving the show. It's been a fantastic five years with him and we will miss him dearly. There is some time left with him on screen yet but in time, it does mean that our beloved Robron are going to be parted."

Although producers and Ryan, understandably, didn't want to ruin any details surrounding Robert's departure for fans of the show, they did hint that it could be related to his current vengeance plan against Lee Posner, who raped his sister Victoria Sugden and has been cruelly taunting her - especially since they discovered she was pregnant with his baby.

Swipe through to see all the Emmerdale spoilers you need to know for next week...

Victoria is pleased that her deposit on a rental flat has been accepted but he joy is short lived when she receives a letter from Wendy demanding a paternity test.

Robert's heart breaks for his sister – but when he hears that Dawn is looking to earn some quick money to support Lucas, he offers her £500 to get Lee interested in her.

Dawn trepidatiously accepts the offer – but when Robert tells Aaron his plan, Aaron is furious and tells Robert he's put Dawn in danger.

They head off to try and stop Dawn going through with the plan, but it's too late – Dawn is already flirting up a storm with Lee in the pub, and soon he asks her to go somewhere more quiet...

Knowing that Pete and Rhona aren't getting on particularly well at the moment, Vanessa tells Paddy she's going to throw them a surprise belated engagement party.

Rhona has been feigning excitement to her friends, but in private to Manpreet falters as she contemplates whether it's the right decision.

When Pete makes a grand gesture by getting down on one knee and re-proposing, Rhona responds by leading him upstairs to the bedroom for the best time since the accident.

At the shop the next day, Pete's rumbled when Leyla correctly guesses that he's worrying about whether or not he'll be able to have his own family.

Everyone is enjoying themselves at Vanessa's surprise party, except the guests of honour, who are clearly feeling awkward struggling to maintain the illusion of excitement.

Despite Sam's protests, Lydia is insistent that she still wants to leave Emmerdale. Stepping outside the Woolpack for some air, she secretly orders a taxi.

When Sam realises she's in a taxi about to leave, he refuses to let it pull away and stands in front of the car, blocking it from leaving.

When Sam gets distracted and the taxi is able to move, Lydia instructs him to drive to where the remains of the baby were found – but gets cold feet at the last minute, and instead they drive straight to the train station.

Awaiting Lydia at the train station, Sam offers to accompany her to the site of the burial and tells her that if she faces her past and still wants to leave Emmerdale, he'll let her go.

Elsewhere, a nervous David waits at the doctors for his blood test results, and is even more shaken when Jacob arrives to offer emotional support.

Still recovering from his back injury, Doug is still determined to take back control of the football club from Bear and Bob.

Jai and Laurel are still sneaking around trying to keep their relationship a secret, and are very nearly caught out by Doug.

Suspicious of Liam's whereabouts, Nicole and Bernice decide to go through his briefcase to see if they can find out what he's been up to...

... but are shocked to find a bloody shirt and a scalpel tucked inside. What has Liam been doing? And is he in trouble?

Laura said, "Victoria's evil rapist Lee is still pursuing her. Victoria decides the only way to get away is to leave the village forever. Robert is devastated and doesn't want her to go. Lee piles the pressure on her and Robert has been pushed to the edge and he is on a mission to get his revenge on Lee even if it kills him.

"You've seen in the past what happens with Aaron when he unravels so when he is parted from his beloved Robert, it's going to be explosive."

We predict dramatic scenes ahead in the Dales...

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