ITV Emmerdale fans ‘freaked out’ as evil villain ‘returns from the d.e.a.d’ in creepy twist
Emmerdale viewers were left terrified after a decease character appeared during Wednesday's episode
Emmerdale viewers were left reeling when Anthony Fox made a surprise appearance in Wednesday’s episode (March 26), despite his character being d.e.a.d. As regular watchers of the ITV soap will recall, sexual predator Anthony (portrayed by Nicholas Day) met his end after his horrific abuse of his daughter Ruby (Beth Cordingly) was revealed, resulting in their daughter Steph (Georgia Jay).
It was Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) who first attacked Anthony before Ruby delivered the k.i.l.l.i.n.g blow. John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) then disposed of his body in the woods and insisted that no one involved in the m.u.r.d.e.r ever mention Anthony again. However, after weeks of questioning about Anthony’s whereabouts, Caleb (William Ash) and Ruby finally told their daughter the truth about her grandfather. She also learned that Anthony was her biological father, leaving her deeply disturbed and uncomfortable.
During Wednesday’s visit to the village, Steph struggled with the truth about her parentage and visited Anthony’s makeshift grave in hopes of finding closure. Steph finally confided in her mother, expressing that all she could see in her reflection was Anthony.
Steph Miligan has been left devastated over her paternity (Image: ITV)
Ruby did her best to reassure her daughter that she was very much like Caleb, despite him not being her biological father, reports Leeds Live.
Emmerdale viewers were left petrified during Wednesday’s episode (March 26) when Steph’s mobile phone displayed a chilling image of Anthony, leading to comparisons with nightmarish scenes from a horror flick.
Fans flocked to social media expressing their shock, with one Facebook user commenting: “So creepy when Steph sees her Grandad in her phone. Was like a horror movie.”
Emmerdale’s Anthony Fox appeared on Steph’s phone (Image: ITV)
Another fan eagerly added: “I was waiting for him to speak to her”, and a third joined in the eerie observations stating, “It was like a horror movie. We were all scared she was going to start talking to the phone screen saying her favourite word again ‘Grandad, grandad’.”
Critics are praising the actress who plays Steph, noting her portrayal of haunting confusion, as one viewer explained, “She’s haunted by the confused feeling she is experiencing. I have to believe that is real. The actress playing Steph, she’s brilliant”.
Social media chatter continued on X, where one eagle-eyed Emmerdale follower posted: “Anthony making an appearance #emmerdale”, and another speculated, “Is Anthony really d.e.a.d? #Emmerdale.”
