Emmerdale airs most terrifying John Sugden twist yet in tense ITVX cliffhanger
**CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS FOR TONIGHT'S (4TH SEPTEMBER) EPISODE**

*Warning: Contains spoilers for today's (Thursday 4th September 2025) episode of Emmerdale, now available on ITVX*
John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) makes his most terrifying move yet in Thursday's (4th September 2025) Emmerdale – at least, until next week's harrowing cliff dive!
When John's captive Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) refused to record a voice message for his wife Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) from the bunker to convince her he had dumped her, John turned to AI technology to create a fake one.
While this plot twist was incredibly unnerving, there's worse to come now that John has listened to his husband Aaron Dingle's (Danny Miller) message to Mack, and knows he cheated with Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).

Aware that Aaron isn't sure about his future with John, John secretly spikes a bottle of whiskey.
He soon encourages Aaron to drink some, and it's not long before Aaron finds himself affected by just the one glass.
With John ready to "look after" Aaron, he heads outside to chop some firewood, while oblivious Aaron drinks more of the whiskey.
Meanwhile, with Mack still locked up in the underground bunker, he has become John's unlikely confidant and, worried for Aaron's life, Mack begins a desperate bid to escape.
Actor Robb has put in a powerful set of performances throughout the week, and in this latest instalment he's particularly compelling.
You'll be cheering Mack on as he uses all his strength to fight his way out of the old bomb shelter, but before long, Aaron's in grave danger and John is on the move in the woods.
What follows leaves both Aaron and Mack in deadly danger, but you'll just have to head to ITVX now, or wait until 7.30pm to tune in on ITV1.
Read more:
- Emmerdale sets up dangerous twist for Aaron Dingle after John Sugden shock in ITVX release
- 4 Emmerdale spoilers next week: John Sugden tries to kill Aaron Dingle in clifftop terror as Robert Sugden is framed
- Emmerdale airs game-changing new bombshell for John Sugden in ITVX release
- Emmerdale's Aaron will 'share in hatred' of husband John as dark storyline moves forward
- Emmerdale spoilers tease more danger for Mackenzie Boyd after disturbing reveal
- Emmerdale airs major twist for John Sugden story after Mackenzie horrors in early ITVX release
- Emmerdale's John Sugden scheme sets up Robert and Aaron passion in ITVX edition
- Emmerdale must avoid these tired soap twists with John Sugden's downfall
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.
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Authors
Laura Denby is a Freelance Soaps writer covering all the latest news in the Dales, Cobbles and East End for Radio Times. She's a soaps nerd with a love for comedy drama, and has also written for Digital Spy, Metro UK and Yahoo UK.
