Emmerdale bosses hint that Robert Sugden will be KILLED OFF!

The popular character will bow out later this Summer

Emmerdale bosses have hinted that Robert Sugden could be killed off later this Summer when the popular character sets out to get revenge on Lee Posner for raping his sister Victoria.

Producer Laura Shaw let slip about the possible fate of the village favourite as she confirmed that actor Ryan Hawley would be bowing out of the soap after five years.

Robert and Victoria visit Jack's grave in Emmerdale — Robert has been desperate to help Victoria

Victoria was attacked by Lee back in April, after he walked her home from a night out in Hotten. Much to Robert’s fury, the former car salesman has evaded justice, due to a lack of evidence.

Pub chef Victoria has since discovered she is pregnant as a result of the rape, and has decided to keep the baby.

Victoria with rapist Lee and his mother Wendy in Emmerdale — Victoria was terrified when she came face to face with rapist Lee recently

But her attempts to get her life back on track have been dealt a bitter blow by Lee and his mother Wendy insisting that the sex was consensual. Wendy, meanwhile, has rocked Victoria’s world by demanding to be involved in her grandchild’s life.

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Says Shaw: “Victoria decides the only way that she’s going to live happily and peacefully is if she leaves the village forever.

“Her brother is devastated; he doesn’t want her to leave. As Lee piles the pressure on both of them, Robert is pushed to the very edge and is intent on getting his revenge on Lee at any cost…even if it kills him.”

Emmerdale spoilers: Aaron and Robert looks absolutely thrilled as they finally get married in Emmerdale — Emmerdale fans were thrilled when Robert and Aaron finally tied the knot

Ryan Hawley was cast as Robert in 2014, replacing Karl Davies, who had quit the role in 2009. Robert subsequently married Chrissie White, but it was the businessman’s fiery on/off relationship with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) that captured the heart of fans, and the couple – nicknamed ‘Robron’ - married last year.

Adds Shaw: “It has been a fantastic five years with Ryan, and we’re going to miss him dearly. We’ve got a bit of time left with him on screen, but it does mean that, going forward, ‘Robron’ are going to be parted.

“You’ve seen in the past what happens with Aaron when he unravels, so I think it’s going to be really interesting times ahead as we see him parted from his beloved Robert. It’s going to be explosive.”

Emmerdale continues on ITV.

Alison Slade has over 20 years of experience as a TV journalist and has spent the vast majority of that time as Soap Editor of TV Times magazine. She is passionate about the ability of soaps to change the world by presenting important, issue-based stories about real people in a relatable way. There are few soap actors that she hasn’t interviewed over the years, and her expertise in the genre means she has been called upon as a judge numerous times for The British Soap Awards and the BAFTA TV Awards.

When she is not writing about soaps, watching soaps, or interviewing people who are in soaps, she loves going to the theatre, taking a long walk or pottering about at home, obsessing over Farrow and Ball paint.