Emmerdale’s Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day) has agreed to leave the eponymous village after daughter Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) demanded that he do so.
Ruby, as viewers know, hasn’t seen her father in decades after he and her mum Helen – who died earlier this year – kicked her out over her decision to pursue a relationship with Caleb Miligan (William Ash).
The death of her mum opened old wounds for her and she vowed to be a better mother to her own child, making thing right with son Nicky (Lewis Cope) before setting her sights on a reunion with daughter Steph (Georgia Jay).
The possibility of such a thing fell right into her lap as Steph turned up on her doorstep shortly afterwards.
Given the way Ruby behaved in the past, Steph wasn’t willing to forgive and forget at first but after talking things through, the pair seemed to be in a much better place.
That is, until Anthony showed up.
Ruby was horrified to see her estranged father and she was equally horrified that Steph had been in touch with him, urging her to cut all contact as he manipulates and controls people.
Anthony apologised for past mistakes, claiming that he just wants to make things right – just as Ruby does with Steph.
Caleb, who was at loggerheads with him decades ago, actually came to believe that the patriarch was telling the truth, which proved a huge blow to Ruby, who subsequently hit self-destruct mode.
Following her afternoon of passion with Cain (Jeff Hordley), Ruby took the morning after pill and proceeded to focus her attention on Steph.
Anthony’s presence, however, continued to get in the way and therefore she asked for a one-on-one discussion with him, asking him to leave the village.
‘You win’, said the patriarch, agreeing to leave. Steph wasn’t pleased to find out what Ruby had asked of him, urging him to stay.
Despite how adamant he is about leaving, however, Anthony returns to the village next week to reveal that he’s got cancer.
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.
