Emmerdale 'exit' for Kim Tate as fans 'expose' John Sugden's true identity

In a dramatic twist, Emmerdale fans believe they've figured out who kidnaps Kim Tate (Claire King), and all fingers are pointing at John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).

Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) is wracked with guilt in upcoming storylines after a blackmailer demands £50k. Desperate, he decides to sell his shares in the haulage firm to Caleb Milligan (Will Ash) but comes home to Home Farm to find Kim missing.

He's then rocked by a call from his blackmailer announcing Kim's abduction, and viewers are suspecting new face John might be behind it.

Die-hard viewers on a Facebook fan community have been speculating, with one querying: "Why was John cagey near his van when Tracy went up? Who was in there or what?" reports Express.

Fans quickly joined the debate; one suggested: "He has Will's money I guess," while another noted: "Yeah I was thinking he's cagey as he wouldn't go to the hospital or let medics look at him."

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One fan theorised: "He's the blackmailer and he's got Kim," with someone else chiming in: "Something strange about John, think it's Kim as she has been kidnapped and I think he has something to do with Rose."

The speculation has ramped up after the show's recent nail-biting barn fire incident, nearly claiming several characters' lives.

John emerged as a saviour during the calamity, heroically rescuing Ruby Milligan (Beth Cordingly) and Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb).

Yet, his jittery response to Tracy's (Amy Walsh) questions about Nate's (Jurell Carter) location, coupled with his hasty departure in his van, did little to quell suspicions.

When asked about Nate's whereabouts, John confirmed that he had already left the village. He explained: "He wasn't there, he left before it happened, he mentioned Shetland."

A surprised Tracy responded: Yeah, I knew he was going there, I just thought I might have seen him before he took off."

"I am sorry," John concluded, to which Tracy added: "It's not your fault, is it."

This also led viewers to speculate that John may be involved in Nate's disappearance - but is he being honest?

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV.