Emmerdale fuels major John theory in throwaway scene – as Victoria knows something is awry

Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins) was once again addressing the great deal of mystery surrounding her new brother John (Oliver Farnworth) in tonight’s Emmerdale.

We met John last week, when Vic and Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell) attended his mum’s funeral. Vic was only there because she drove Pollard, and only got talking to John when she found him sitting on a bench on his own.

Once it was established she was looking at her half brother, Vic was desperate to know more about him. John confirmed a letter had been sent to his biological father Jack Sugden about his existence but because Jack is dead, no-one actually knows whether he received it and chose to not reply, or it was never delivered.

Vic was certain if her dad knew John existed, he would’ve wanted him in his life. This didn’t bother John, as he told Vic the man who brought him up alongside his mum was enough of a father to him.

In last night’s episode, Vic was at Jack’s grave feeling reflective.

She was interrupted by by Pollard, who was tending to Val’s grave as well.

Vic stood up and wondered if her dad really had no idea John existed. Curious, Victoria thought that if John’s mum did send Jack a letter he never received it – and not that he did and just ignored it.

But is John telling the truth?

These scenes aired just a day after another dimension was added to the enigma of John.

The day before, Victoria had found one of his possessions while she was tidying up at home and handed it to him. It was a small tin box, which she hadn’t opened. When John lifted the lid to check the contents Victoria was curious to see what was inside.

‘Is that a dog tag? Like from the army?’

John looked strained and confirmed he had been in the army but that he didn’t want to talk about that time in his life. ‘It’s over,’ he said. Beginning to learn that she shouldn’t push him too hard, Victoria left it at that. But after she’d gone, John looked at the dog tag again and we saw the name inscribed on it. It didn’t say John Sugden as expected, but ‘Aidan Moore.’

This is a mystery. Is Aidan someone John knew in the army, a fallen comrade perhaps? Could he be someone John was previously romantically involved with?

The surname Moore does have a place in John’s family history, however. In the 1980s, before John was born, his father Jack Sugden had an affair with a woman called Karen Moore (Annie Hulley) who was an auctioneer’s assistant at Hotten Market. When Jack went back to his wife Pat (Helen Weir), Karen later became romantically involved with Jack’s brother Joe (Frazer Hines) for a short period.

Also in last night’s episode, John managed to spend time with Vic’s son Harry, but declined her offer when she suggested watching a film that evening.

It seems as though John is warming to the prospect of having a few more relatives and yet still, he is reluctant to completely let his guard down.

But why?

What other secrets is this new face hiding?