Is Steph Anthony’s daughter? Emmerdale sets up paternity question mark and fans want answers

Is Steph in Emmerdale actually Anthony’s daughter? After last night’s shocking episode, it looks like there could be a paternity question.

Since Anthony turned up in the village, viewers have known something seemed off with him. And they were right.

In harrowing flashback scenes last night (December 12) viewers finally uncovered the dark truth that Anthony had sexually abused Ruby when she was a child. And her 16th birthday didn’t appear to be the first time.

Emmerdale Steph really Anthony’s daughter?

We know, not too long after she turned 16, Ruby got pregnant with Steph, and her parents tried to force her to terminate the pregnancy. At the time, Ruby was in a relationship with Caleb, much to her parent’s dismay. But now we also know what went down between her and her dad.

When Steph arrived into the village, she didn’t want a relationship with Caleb and Ruby. It appears when she was younger, they sent her away to boarding school, and never really bothered with her.

So could there be an even more sinister twist waiting ahead? In Emmerdale Steph’s grandfather could actually be her dad? Fans seem to think so.

Taking to social media after the episode aired last night, many raised their questions and theories.

What will happen next in this storyline?

One queried on Instagram: “So is Anthony Steph’s dad then?” Others had the same question.

Over on X (formerly Twitter) theories were abounding: “I have a horrible feeling that Steph is not Anthony’s granddaughter, but actually is his daughter.”

Another pointed out the similarities between Steph and Anthony could be a huge sign they are actually father and daughter. They wrote: “Poor Ruby. Steph is clearly Anthony’s child and that’s why they both squint with their left eye. He makes my skin crawl.”

A third penned: “Now it makes sense why Ruby sent Steph to boarding school and had a fractured relationship with her. She must have been reminded of what happened every day. A horror of a situation. Anthony is an evil person.”

Despite many thinking Emmerdale will go down this dark path, one viewer remains hopeful that in the end, Caleb will be Steph’s dad.

They wrote: “Wow. What a powerful story. Very dark. But I do think Caleb is the real father and this will be revealed eventually. I’m predicting explosive scenes for all in 2025.”

Whether Anthony is Steph’s father or not remains to be seen. But it does look like it is a strong possibility. And fans are desperate for Ruby to get the justice she deserves.

It may be the beginning of the storyline, but Beth Cordingly already deserves awards for her amazing performances.

Whatever the outcome is, the storyline is definitely going to be heart-wrenching. And we’re sure there’s going to be plenty of drama when the truth comes out.