Emmerdale viewers will celebrate next week when Aaron Dingle (portrayed by Danny Miller) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) are finally reunited.

Supporters have been pleading for the duo to reconcile since Robert’s return to the village in May after serving six years behind bars.

Despite trying to prevent Aaron’s marriage to John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), Robert was compelled to witness his former partner wed his half-brother.

The animosity between Robert and John escalated dramatically when he assaulted the healthcare worker with a spanner, resulting in his hospitalisation. Robert pledged to cease his campaign against John, though the sentiment isn’t reciprocated, reports the Express.

In upcoming episodes, John successfully manipulates Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) against Robert by embellishing the incident involving her son Harry Sugden (Adam Pryor).

When Victoria cautions Robert that he’s facing his final opportunity, he collapses emotionally.

Discussing Robert’s vulnerable condition, Ryan revealed to Express Online and other media: “Victoria threatens him because he’s not changed. He’s not doing anything that she’s been telling him to do. She says he’s out on his own. Robert has a complete breakdown and smashes everything in his room and then Aaron comes in and stops him.”

Following his emotional collapse in his former spouse’s embrace, Robert ultimately acknowledges it’s time to depart the village, confessing his return was an error. Nevertheless, Aaron disputes this and discloses he has been battling his genuine emotions ever since Robert’s return.

This results in Aaron and Robert becoming intimate.

Despite the reconciliation that both Robert and Emmerdale viewers have been yearning for, Ryan explained that his character understands it isn’t something lasting.

He said: “It’s kind of a take it as it is just in this moment, kind of thing. They even say to each other that they don’t want to think about any of that now because it’s complicated. But this leads into the next phase of the story. They take it for what it is.”

And whilst it represents the romantic reunion fans were hoping for, they will be devastated to discover that Aaron intends to escape the village with John.

Explaining how Robert will react when he discovers Aaron is departing, Ryan admitted: “He’ll be devastated. Robert came back to the village for Aaron in truth. Aaron was his reason to come back and to exist.

“He’ll be worried about Aaron’s safety but at the same time, I think at this point he’s starting to doubt whether or not he’s right about John. John’s gaslighting and manipulation has gotten through to him because every one is saying the same things to Robert, that he’s wrong about John and he’s just jealous.”

Meanwhile, John becomes anxious due to the police developments after officers inform Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) that Nate’s murder investigation has been reopened owing to a discrepancy with Owen Michaels’ (Simon Haines) suicide note. Growing increasingly anxious that the murder investigation will incriminate him, John makes a chilling phone call.