❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Emmerdale reveals arsonist targeting Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle's farm in early ITVX release

Warning: Contains spoilers for Friday's episode of Emmerdale, which airs at 8pm on ITV1 or can be streamed now on ITVX.

Aaron and Robert stood against a fence on open farmland in a scene from Emmerdale

ITV

Published: Friday, 29 May 2026 at 7:30 am

Subscribe to Radio Times: 10 weeks for £10, including the Christmas double issue

The mystery arsonist targeting Emmerdale Farm has finally been revealed - to the audience, at least.

Ad

For the last few months, Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) and Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) have been plagued by a fire starter who seemingly wanted to ruin their chances of a successful agricultural business.

The land is owned entirely by the devious Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), after previous occupier Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) reluctantly admitted defeat and vacated the premises. He'd been pushed to a point of no return, with a suspected tuberculosis outbreak ruining their meat sales and last year's slurry leak decimating the family's finances.

Cain also had no legal claim over the remaining 50% share, which was held by his wrongly imprisoned wife Moira (Natalie J Robb). She could see that he needed to focus on dealing with his aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, and signed on the dotted line for Joe to take over.

He had no interest in running the farm himself, and installed Robert and Aaron.

Graham Foster in Emmerdale

Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) was looking for the arsonist. ITV

At first, it seemed like Moira could be the one igniting the blazes, possibly as a way to spend more time at the house she called home for 17 years, and then the finger was pointed at Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah).

He'd been lurking around the fields, and was spotted trying to torch his car. Robert and Aaron were adamant that they'd found the culprit, but it soon transpired that he was actually homeless and hoping that the insurance payout for the car would help with his financial crisis.

With Kammy being welcomed into the Dingle residence, it was back to square one for Robert and Aaron.

In today's episode, they scoured the fields for any evidence, unaware that someone was watching them from afar. Graham Foster (Andrew Scarborough) was spying through his binoculars, and for a moment it seemed like he might've been waiting for a perfect opportunity to strike.

However, this wasn't the case. He'd actually spotted someone looking suspicious, and was trying to help.

Kyle Winchester in Emmerdale

Kyle Winchester (Huey Quinn) is the arsonist! ITV

Robert was sure that he'd found his man, and appeared from behind, brandishing a shotgun. A brief fight ensued between the men, and the gun fired.

Unfortunately, the noise terrified the arsonist, and they quickly fled. But it wouldn't be long before their identity was exposed, as Cain's teenage son Kyle Winchester (Huey Quinn) was seen holding a lighter and pouring fuel over some hay bales.

Will Kyle be able to keep his misdemeanours a secret?

Read more:

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

Add Emmerdale to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app– download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Ad

Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Michael Adams wearing a white t-shirt and beige gilet against a white background

Michael AdamsSoaps Editor

Michael Adams is the Soaps Editor at Radio Times, covering all of the hot gossip and spoilers from Weatherfield to Walford, Emmerdale to Hollyoaks and everywhere in-between. He joined the team from Metro, where he spent two years as a Soaps Reporter and previously worked on the sets of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Ad

Ad

Get the Christmas double issue

Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.

Subscribe by 3 Dec

Loading...

Ad

Loading...