‘Work out’ who really abused Ruby – and it’s not her ‘creepy’ father

Emmerdale viewers are convinced they know the truth behind Ruby Fox-Milligan and her estranged father, Anthony.

Ruby (Beth Cordingly) and Caleb (William Ash) were lost for words this month when daughter Steph (Georgia Jay) showed up, more than 10 years since they last saw her.

Stephanie was mentioned for the first time a few months ago, following the death of Ruby’s mum Helen (Sharon Maughan). And last week, Steph rocked up the Dales – but it was clear that Steph was only in the village to get her inheritance from late grandmother Helen.

Steph went and confronted her mum about her awful childhood, but things took a dramatic turn when Ruby slapped her, instead of the reconciliation she had hoped for.

Fortunately, the pair managed to patch things up. However, soon enough, another relative rocked up to the Dales: Ruby’s father Anthony (Nicholas Day). It was clear there’s a lot of history between the father and daughter – with Ruby insisting she didn’t want anything to do with him.

Steph later confronted Anthony, and pleaded for him to leave the village, to which he did. But during Friday’s instalment (November 22) things took an emotional turn.

Steph – who has moved in with Caleb and Ruby – tried to get her mum to look inside the memory box of her childhood. Clearly hiding something, Ruby was overcome with emotion after picking up a photo of herself when she was 15 and dressed in a school uniform.

Fans have been suspicious for a while that Ruby’s secret could be something harrowing. And while some viewers think her father Anthony could have abused her, other fans think or was someone else.

On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one person said: “Ruby – I see lots of folk speculating that her dad abused her and is possibly Steph’s dad – I don’t think so I think Caleb is Steph’s dad – BUT I do think there’s possible abuse that her parents ignored so maybe an uncle or brother ????”

Someone else wrote: “My theory is she was abused by her mum, but her dad knew about it. Having said that, I don’t want an abuse storyline, so we’ll just have to wait it out and see what the story is.”

A third penned: “I’d prefer that storyline to Ruby being abused by her Dad, it’s too far is that one.” Echoing their thoughts, a fourth wrote:“ That’s what I said. She undoubtedly told them and they wouldn’t believe her.”

If you are worried that a friend, neighbour or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm