Emmerdale linked two of the show’s biggest storylines in Friday’s episode as Marlon Dingle developed an upsetting theory over his missing daughter April Windsor.

Marlon feared the worst as the villagers started to talk openly about Anthony Fox being a danger to children.

Viewers know that Anthony sexually abused his daughter Ruby when she was a teenager.

Ruby killed Anthony last week and has since united with her husband Caleb to keep the truth under wraps – with Aaron Dingle, Chas Dingle and John Sugden all involved in the cover-up too.

In Friday’s episode, Anthony’s potential whereabouts became a major talking point in the village after Laurel Thomas spoke to the police about how she’d lashed out at him while defending Nicola King.

Laurel recounted the story of how Chas had told them about Anthony being a threat to children, which led to heightened emotions on the day in question.

Under pressure from Ruby, Chas has since reluctantly withdrawn the allegations but Marlon didn’t know what to believe when word got back to him.

With most of the villagers still unaware that Anthony is dead, Marlon was tormented by thoughts that he could somehow be involved in April’s disappearance – and potentially be with her now.

Marlon initially confronted Laurel and Nicola, claiming that they should have told him much sooner because of the potential link to April.

He then had a similar tense showdown with Caleb and Chas back at The Woolpack.

Marlon asked: “What if Anthony was in contact with April before she disappeared? I should have known if he’s like that.”

When Caleb lied that Chas had “got it wrong”, Marlon replied: “Did she though? Because April’s missing and he’s scarpered. I need to know what’s going on with him, Caleb.”

While Anthony doesn’t appear to have had any interaction with April before his death, Marlon’s dark theories piled further pressure on everyone who’s still covering up the villain’s demise.

With the situation growing messier by the day, is it only a matter of time before the truth comes out?