The character, who is played by former Hollyoaks and Coronation Street star Oliver Farnworth, will enter the village next week, causing a stir as the long-lost half-brother of Victoria.

In anticipation of his debut, the social media channels for the ITV soap have teased the character’s arrival, with a brief clip showing John in a field staring at Victoria and Aaron Dingle, with footage of past Sugdens also being shown.

Fans took to social media to share their excitement at the teaser, with one writing on X/Twitter: “Totally here for this! I really think the Sugden family needs to be back at the heart of the show…. very exciting. #emmerdale”

“The family that started it all should always have a dominant presence so its about damn time”, added another expectant viewer, with a third fan writing: “Yes! I think I’ll be watching Emmerdale again! Just please can you treat this character kinder than Corrie did theirs! I can’t go through that again!”

The Sugdens are considered an iconic family on Emmerdale, with their lineage running back to the first-ever episode of the soap back in 1972. While the specifics of the plot have been kept under wraps, John’s arrival is said to “ruffle some feathers” in the village.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale,” said Farnworth of his new role last month. “The show has such a rich history, and the Sugden family is integral to that. I’m looking forward to bringing my character to life and working with such a talented and dedicated team.”

“We are thrilled to have an actor with Oliver’s talent and presence join the Emmerdale family,” added producer Laura Shaw. “The Sugdens have always been central to Emmerdale, and introducing a new member opens up exciting possibilities for future storylines. Mysterious John’s arrival will no doubt create a stir in the village for Victoria and the wider community.”