Emmerdale star Danny Miller has spoken about the heartbreaking end of Robron, admitting that he's "gutted" to lose co-star Ryan Hawley from the show.
The ITV soap has announced that Robert Sugden will be leaving the village later this year, as Ryan Hawley has decided to bow out from the role after five years.
The news means that Danny's character Aaron Dingle will be sadly parted from his husband, although exact details of how and when Robert leaves are currently being kept under wraps.
Speaking at an Emmerdale press event about Ryan's departure, Danny joked: "I was livid. My ep count's going down, isn't it?
Related: Emmerdale star Ryan Hawley reveals Robert's devastating confession for Aaron
"No, you know, I've been there. I've left and had a go at seeing what's out there – auditioning and being a jobbing actor. I always had a feeling that Ryan would want to do that at some point.
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"Without blowing smoke, he's a great actor and great to work with. So it was always inevitable he was going to do this. It was just a case of when – and yes, I fully support him. He should get out there.
"I was gutted for me to lose a friend on set and around the building as well."
He laughed: "I must be saying some things – I've lost Kelvin Fletcher, Adam Thomas and now Ryan. I'm going to be the only one in that group message who's still working!
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"It's gutting for me, Aaron and the show. But I wish him all the best. He should just go for it and see what auditions he gets. Ryan's a lot cleverer than I am, so he'll be fine with scripts that I'd have struggled with."
Next week's Emmerdale episodes see Robert finally come clean to Aaron with the truth about the criminal charge he's facing for attacking rapist Lee Posner.
Viewers know that Robert has been charged with 'GBH with intent', which means he could be facing life in prison if he's found guilty.
On Aaron's reaction to the bombshell news, Danny continued: "It's the same old story with Aaron. As he's developed, he's become the honest and righteous one. He's tried to change his views, especially after he tried to come to terms with what happened to him as a child with his dad. Then he wanted this honest relationship with his nearest and dearest.
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"So he argues with Robert about that. When Robert eventually tells him what happened, Aaron says that he's not even angry, he's just tired.
"A life sentence would be awful. It'd be the end of the relationship, which isn't great, is it? So he's battling with that idea straight away. If Robert is found guilty, that's his life ripped apart. And Liv's, Seb's, Diane's and Victoria's too. So, naturally, he's gutted, and fed up of Robert's lies."
Asked whether Aaron will contemplate splitting up with Robert afterwards, Danny replied: "I hope not. I think he's become that guy who wants to stand by his family. And being married, that's what they are. I'd like to think the writers would always support that. But I don't know."
Robert won't be leaving Emmerdale until later in the year, but some fans have already started to speculate about what the future holds for Aaron afterwards.
Related: 8 huge Emmerdale spoilers for this week
On whether Aaron is doomed, Danny said: "It's been a while since he's had heartbreak. Robert is the love of his life and he's been there, done so much for him and been through so much with him.
"When you rip that out of someone's life, regardless of whether they're a partner or a family member, it's naturally going to be devastating for them.
"So maybe he is doomed. It'll certainly be interesting to see how it plays out when Robert goes and Aaron has to deal with it."
Meanwhile, asked about the possibility of Emmerdale killing off Robert (we're sure it won't happen!), Danny couldn't resist another joke.
He said: "I personally think it would be a shame. It's a character who has been so popular over the years. Ryan has come in and done it justice. It'd be a shame to do that. But if they did do it, it would be a great storyline for me. Just saying!"
You don't fool us, Danny – you want a future Robron reunion as much as us!
Emmerdale currently airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with extra episodes at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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