John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is set to shock Emmerdale viewers this week with the advice he gives husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller).

So far, the sinister doctor-turned-killer has managed to keep Aaron safely onside and, more importantly, out of the clutches of his arch-rival (and half brother) Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley). Although all of that is set to change.

After discovering Robert had a part to play in the attack on Butler’s farm via his planted listening device and revealing what he learned to Ross Barton, Robert is hardly the most popular villager.

True-to-form, Ross goes for Robert’s throat in the Woolpack, with Moira also infuriated to learn of Robert’s duplicity.

With Robert on an island, John chooses not to drive a further wedge between the ex-husbands and makes the frankly unbelievable decision to advise Aaron – the subject of both brothers’ affections – to go easy on Robert.

Aaron heeds his current husbands advice and agrees to a coffee with a vulnerable Robert, who divulges that he’s thinking of packing up and leaving.

Struck, Aaron kindly reassures Robert that he’s still wanted in the village, buoying Robert, who sets off to find Victoria (Isabel Hodgins) with a new business proposal in mind.

With John having unwittingly had his husband convince his love rival to stay put and reigniting the bond between them, will he live to regret his decision?