Emmerdale has seemingly confirmed the return of two major villains from this year.

John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) and Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) do not know each other, but they’re connected because they’ve both been involved in relationship drama with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).

John disappeared in the autumn after his crimes were exposed to everyone in the village. In September, a showdown in the woods occurred that saw John throw himself and Aaron off a gorge. Both were rushed to hospital, but John woke up before Aaron, which meant he could frame Robert and have him arrested.

As soon as Aaron woke up from his coma, he told Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) that John was holding Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) hostage, was responsible for killing Nate Robinson, and had also orchestrated a number of other deadly events in the village.

Just before John went on the run, he was confronted by a grieving Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). He wanted to get revenge on John for killing his son, but the crazed medic was a step ahead of him at all times, and managed to gain control of the situation so he didn’t end up in a woodland grave like Anthony Fox.

John told Cain and Caleb Miligan (William Ash) that if they didn’t let him flee, he would ensure the police learn out about Ruby Miligan (Beth Cordingly) killing her father.

Cain thought this was an empty threat, but Caleb wasn’t willing to take that risk. He helped John leave the country, and returned to tell his family that the murderer was on the run in Rotterdam.

While this was the last we saw of John, we have seen a picture of him in an episode of Coronation Street. Ahead of January’s Corriedale episode, seeing John in the instalment left fans convinced the concluding part of his story will feature in the crossover.

To further fuel the possibility of John returning, a new promo shot has landed on the Emmerdale page on ITVX. It features Robert, Aaron, John, and also Kev.

These pictures tend to update ahead of a dramatic month in the village. Around the time John’s secrets were revealed to us, a new image was uploaded to the site that focused on him.

And to add to this theory, Kev actor Chris Coghill has shared the picture on his Instagram.

He simply wrote: ‘What could it all mean??’, and fans in the comments section are hoping it’s a clue that Kev will soon return.

In the lead up to Christmas, Robert and Aaron are the victims of some suspicious events, and both cannot help but wonder if Kev or John are responsible.

When Aaron finds the trees outside his flat ablaze, Ross Barton (Michael Parr) gets the blame as a result of him clashing with Aaron and Robert over Seb. However, this time Ross has an alibi and the penny drops that someone else is terrorising Aaron.

Robert works out who is really behind the attacks and the truth is utterly terrifying.

On Christmas Day, everyone is outside the pub enjoying mulled wine, but there’s one person missing. Robert has hurried off on a mystery errand and does not return, leaving Aaron and Vic worried.

As the clock ticks on they begin to wonder, what’s happened to Robert?

Has he been captured by John or Kev?

Or maybe both of them?

Robert’s prison husband Kev left the village recently after realising that there was no way he’d be able to get back with his lover.

As he struggled with his emotions, Kev ended up holding Robert, Aaron and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) hostage, threatening them with a sword.

The ordeal ended with Robert injured, and Kev managing to evade another arrest.

He left Emmerdale and also went on the run, with Robert and Aaron convinced that it wouldn’t be long until the police found him.

But given how long John has spent on the run now without being caught, can the police really find two criminals linked to these characters?

Or will they be responsible for more damage before justice is served?