Emmerdale spoilers follow from Thursday's episode (January 16), which is available to watch now on streaming service ITVX but hasn't yet aired on ITV1.

The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct.

Emmerdale has set up the show's new whodunit storyline by exposing Anthony Fox's evil crimes.

Show bosses have announced that Anthony will be killed off next week, sparking a new mystery plot.

A recent Emmerdale flashback episode revealed that Anthony sexually abused his daughter Ruby when she was a teenager.

Since then, viewers have also discovered that Anthony is the biological father of Ruby's daughter Steph.

What to Read Next

ruby fox miligan, steph, anthony fox, emmerdale
ITV

Related: Emmerdale airs character's exit storyline after five years

Ruby's husband Caleb kicked her out of Mill Cottage this week after stumbling across DNA test results which confirmed that he is not Steph's biological dad.

With Caleb misinterpreting the situation and Ruby struggling to share her traumatic past, he assumed that she cheated on him and covered up the truth for 30 years.

Thursday's episode saw Caleb's half-sister Chas Dingle step in to defend Ruby. In a private chat with Caleb, she explained that Ruby was raped as a teenager and had never cheated on him.

Continuing to jump to conclusions, Caleb believed that Ruby's old friend Rob was the attacker and lured him to the village on false pretences.

caleb miligan with rob in emmerdale
ITV
caleb miligan, chas dingle and rob in emmerdale
ITV

Related: Emmerdale star explains Ruby's role in death storyline

As a tense showdown unfolded and threatened to turn violent, Rob protested his innocence and explained that he's gay. He revealed that Ruby only ever stayed over at his place as a friend when she was younger, wanting to avoid her father Anthony as she was scared of him.

While Caleb failed to note the significance of these words, the penny dropped for Chas as she came to a horrifying realisation.

Chas told Caleb: "She wasn't seeing anybody else. You and Rob were the only lads in her life, but I don't think we're looking for a lad.

chas dingle, emmerdale
ITV

Related: Emmerdale's Dawn Fletcher to make concerning Joe Tate discovery

"Who was she really scared of? You're not getting it yet, are you? Neither did I when Aaron first said the words about Gordon – his dad and how he sexually abused him. I froze.

"I think Anthony was abusing Ruby and I think he fathered Steph."

Caleb, Chas and Ruby will all be suspects in next week's death mystery alongside Aaron, Cain, Laurel and Nicola.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

Read more Emmerdale spoilers on our dedicated homepage


If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, which works towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on its website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.