Emmerdale aired terrifying scenes tonight (Monday, 29 December) as John Sugden detailed his new idea to take down Robert Sugden. With Kev Townsend set to be the fall guy, will John really get away with the deadly plan?

At the start of the episode, John was still intent on a gun being the weapon that would take out Robert. But a captive Kev continued to wind John up, telling him his plan to shoot Robert and set him up for it wouldn’t work.

“What are you gonna do, then?” Kev asked. “Knock me out, tie me up and then frame me for killing my husband? Well, here’s a little truth bomb for you. It won’t work, so, you know, I’d just not bother.” Kev then repeatedly shouted “it won’t work” as John, who returned to the Dales last week, attempted to gag him.

Meanwhile, despite being rattled and worried about the potential threat from Kev, Victoria and Robert left Harry playing football outside alone.

Harry kicked his ball into the woods and when he went to retrieve it he was met by John. John sat with Harry and warned him that no one could know he was there as it would ruin the surprise.

John told Harry that he was working on putting everything right, telling him they would all be together again soon, “you, me, your mum, uncle Aaron…” When Harry questioned if uncle Robert would be with them too, John responded: “No, but he will be much better off where he’s going. We all will be.”

Victoria was momentarily panicked when she couldn’t find Harry, but he soon came running out of the woods unharmed, making no mention of John.

Later, John returned to Kev and shared with him his new plan. “Your little truth bomb got me thinking,” he said. “You’re right, a bullet really isn’t your style.”

John revealed that he’d done a bit of research on Kev and discovered that he had a thing for explosives. He then removed an IED (improvised explosive device) from his bag and informed Kev that he was now into those.

Kev pointed out that he had never made one before, but John was not bothered, telling him: “That’s not a problem. That is why I have been looking up how to build one from scratch on your phone. For the police to find, silly. Along with your lifeless body and confession. Right after I start off the new year with a spectacular BANG!”

Kev looked uncharacteristically scared the plan, but will he be able to stop John going through with it?