As John proves his commitment to Aaron, I think it’s time to move on from the past and let Robron go
As a great woman once said: ‘let it go’
Acomplicated, explosive, highly toxic mess; the marriage of Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle (or ‘Robron,’ for short) is perhaps the most talked-about Emmerdale relationship of all time. Well of course it is – the shippers won’t stop talking about Robron.
But before we go into why this writer thinks Robert and Aaron should stay in the past – first, some context.
Robron: A history of a toxic relationship on Emmerdale
The union of the second-worst Sugden (lest we forget Andy’s wife-beating phase) and the least entertaining Dingle, the relationship of Robert and Aaron was toxic from the start, with Rob initially blackmailing ‘ron into robbing Home Farm.
Learning that Aaron was gay, Robert’s interest was piqued, and the pair hooked up. After realising that Robert was cheating on bride-to-be Chrissie, Katie snapped the pair mid-kiss and threatened to tell all. As a scuffle broke out, Robron claimed its first victim, and Katie fell to her death.
With Katie silenced, Robert and Chrissie married. However, he carried on seeing Aaron. Their toxic dance continued even as more people learned about the affair. This led to Robert almost k.i.l.l.i.n.g and then blackmailing Paddy – subsequently holding a bound-and-gagged Aaron at gunpoint when he sought revenge. Truly, a match made in the stars.
When their affair became public knowledge, you’d think they could put everyone out of their misery and just be together. But before that could happen, somebody shot Robert. Prime suspect Aaron’s name was cleared when it was revealed that it had been Ross who dunnit – at the behest of his own adoptive brother, Andy.
Robron II: the next level
In 2016, the pair finally stopped trying to kill each other long enough for an actual conversation. Discovering that Aaron’s dad had raped him as a child, Robert was there in his time of need. In true Robert fashion, this involved a few major crimes – paying a neighbour to lie that Gordon had raped him too.
A jury found Gordon guilty in spite of Robert’s meddling, and he eventually took his own life in prison. Always one to make it about himself, Robert then found himself in hot water with Aaron for not passing on a letter from his (now dead) dad.
They eventually reconciled and things were stable for a while, moving in together and even deciding to marry. When Aaron was sentenced to a year in prison for possession of drugs, he started pushing Robert away. Robert sought comfort in Rebecca White, with whom he fathered Seb.
The pair split when the truth came out, but couldn’t stay away from each other for long.
Robron III: Parting is such sweet sorrow as Robert leaves Emmerdale
After reuniting, Robert and Aaron decided to have a child together, and began the process of looking for a surrogate.
That hypothetical child was saved from a life under two people (one a morally bankrupt criminal, the other a tormented criminal with anger issues) who should absolutely not under any circumstances be trusted with a child’s welfare when Robert k.i.l.l.e.d a man.
Robert was sentenced to fourteen years without parole. While behind bars, he learned that he was being transferred to The Isle of Wight, apparently putting an end to the saga of Robert and Aaron once and for all. If only!
Let Robron go, Emmerdale fans
Fast-forward four years later, and fans are still talking about Robron. It’s hard to engage in any discussion about Aaron (still in the soap) without someone loudly bringing up Robert (hasn’t been in the soap since 2019) and bashing everyone and everything else.
No sooner did Aaron return to screens in 2023 than fans began demanding his other half follow. Aaron is currently at the heart of one of Emmerdale’s biggest stories, but once again, fans have found a way to make that all about Robron too.
And while I can take or leave Aaron, it does a disservice to the character – and Danny Miller – to have him constantly defined by the man in his life. Or the lack of him, as it were.
With Aaron currently holding the bag for Anthony’s murder, Robron shippers are wondering whether this might mean they reunite behind bars. As long as the cameras don’t follow them there, I wouldn’t be opposed.
Aaron’s new man
Pity poor John Sugden in all of this. While the jury’s still out on that one (serial k.i.l.l.e.r? conman? weirdo?) he never really stood a chance with Robron fans. While he’s raising a few red flags of his own, one suspects that much of the hate he gets online is for not being Robert.
This writer personally finds John to be an intriguing figure – and his relationship with Aaron rather sweet. Why not give it time to breathe before declaring it a failure? Can Aaron not have some fun and stability in his miserable little life before forcing him into another agonising dilemma? Would we really rather see him behind bars with Robert than without?
Time will tell how Johron (Aarjohn?) plays out, but to pretend that he and Robert were ever the height of romance is, frankly, a bit deluded.
Robron IV: Robron’s revenge?
What all this comes down to, ultimately, is a personal vendetta. Mine, against Robert and Aaron. I’ll be the first to admit that I never enjoyed Robert as a character (in any iteration), nor any of the actors who portrayed him.
Whatever the case, the return of Robert is inevitable – fan demand is too high, the possibilities too juicy (his ex is currently with his long-lost relative!)
The Sudgen name is too important to Emmerdale’s legacy for him to stay away forever. And, for better and worse, the name Aaron will be forever linked with Robert Sugden.
What I’m saying is, Robron is inevitable.
