EMMERDALE’S John Sugden has revealed the truth about the mysterious Aidan Moore at long last - but is he lying?
The medic - who is played by actor Oliver Farnsworth in the ITV soap - has been holding onto some dog tags with Aidan’s name on it ever since he arrived in the village.
It has been so far kept a mystery with John refusing to explain anything about it and reacting furiously when Victoria found the tags and asked him about them.
In last night’s episode John decided to spring a surprise on Aaron with a winter wild camping trip.
And today’s episode it was revealed to be Aidan’s birthday.
Aaron encouraged John to open up after he found the dog tags and asked him about them.
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Now for the first time John has spoken about who Aidan was and how he died.
Revealing they served together in the army, John hinted at a tragic end with John being unable to save him and ultimately losing him.
“Aidan was the first person I ever felt anything for, anything meaningful,” he said.
“He was a bit of a joker, a show off, the sort who would talk to anyone and loved an audience.
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“We were the only ones in camp who turned up to watch some awful forgettable 90s Luke Perry film.
“I reckon that’s when we had each other’s number.”
John added to Aaron: “It might have been alright on paper to be gay in the army then but you certainly didn’t go around shouting about it.
“Somehow no-one else in the camp found out about us or if they did they didn’t say. So when Aidan died, when I couldn’t save him, I kept it all in.
Aaron Dingle's biggest storylines
The character Aaron Dingle (formerly Livesy) made his Emmerdale debut all the way back in 2003. Current actor Danny Miller took on the role in 2008. Here are some of Aaron's biggest soap storylines over the years.
- McFarlane family: After Aaron returns to the village in 2008, he is arrested by Ross Kirk (Samuel Anderson) for possession of drugs. His mother Chas' (Lucy Pargeter) family later learn he is a drug courier for the McFarlanes.
- Coming to terms with his homosexuality: Initially, Aaron questioned and struggled to come to terms with his homosexuality. He ultimately confided in friend and guardian Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt).
- Romantic advance towards Adam Barton: At one point, Aaron begins dating Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) and befriends her brother Adam (Adam Thomas). Aaron tries to kiss Adam after they are involved in a run-off road collision. Embarrassed, he tells Adam that he misunderstood the situation. Aaron sleeps with Holly, however, Adam informs his family that he thinks Aaron is gay. Aaron denies it but Holly ends the relationship.
- Child sexual abuse: In 2015, it was revealed Aaron had been sexually abused by his father Gordon (Gary Mavers) when he was from the age of 8 before Gordon kicked him out. Ultimately, Gordon was imprisoned years later - but took his own life while in prison.
- Relationship with Jackson Walsh: Aaron and Jackson Walsh (Marc Silcock) started dating after a tumultuous start to knowing each other. Their story ultimately ended in heartbreak, as Jackson died by assisted suicide.
- Suicide attempt: A harrowing storyline from 2010 saw a then-teenage Aaron attempt to take his own life.
- Relationship with Robert Sugden: Aaron and long-standing character Robert Sugden were romantically linked following the latter's return in 2014. Nicknamed "Robron", the pair married in 2018, however, Robert exited the soap in 2019.
“I tried to bury everything I felt about him until it destroyed me from the inside. It hasn’t gone, put it that way.”
Aaron hugged John and appeared to believe everything he said, but could John be lying?