A major Emmerdale character is set to return to the ITV soap six years after leaving in what is being described as "the biggest secret in soapland".
Actor Ryan Hawley played Robert Sugden on Emmerdale between 2014 and 2019 before quitting the show to "take on other roles".
He was written out of the show in an "explosive" storyline which saw him kill his sister Victoria’s rapist Lee Posner accidentally.
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Robert hit Lee with a shovel and he fell, hitting his head on a rock.
Robert pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 14 years in prison for murder.
Emmerdale star to return to ITV soap 6 years after exit
However, Hawley and his character Robert Sugden are now set to return to Emmerdale next month, according to The Sun.
He will return for a "one-off" as Robert's ex-husband, Aaron Dingle, prepares to marry his brother John Sugden.
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A source, speaking to The Sun, said: “It’s the biggest secret in soapland but Robert is returning to Emmerdale.
“Ryan has a lot of respect for the show and its fans and he really wanted to give them a treat so he agreed to come back for a brief stint.
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“It’s going to be a huge surprise for fans especially the Robron fans who have missed Robert desperately since Ryan quit.
“Nothing was seen as being too extreme to keep the secret with fake names on scripts, smuggling him in and out of the studios and keeping everything very tight.”
Emmerdale refused to comment on Hawley's alleged return to the show.
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