Emmerdale newcomer’s secret connection to soap’s most evil villain revealed

EMMERDALE actor Oliver Farnmouth revealed his secret connection to the formidable soap villain.

The newcomer will play John Sugden and will make his debut on Thursday as the newest member of the Sugden family, after showing up at his mum’s funeral.

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Oliver, 41, is currently dating Ex-EastEnders actress Samantha Womack, 51.

Samantha, who played Albert Square legend Ronnie Mitchell, grew close to Oliver while acting opposite him in the 2019 stage adaptation of thriller The Girl On The Train. 

They started seeing each other a year after Samantha split from her husband and actor Mark, 63.

They were together for 19 years and had two children together Lily, 19, and Benjamin, 23.

However, Oliver shocked soap fans after he revealed he is “good friends” with Mark and he often gives advice.

Mark appeared on Emmerdale as DI Mark Malone between March  and August 2020.

Oliver told The Mirror: “Mark is a good friend. I actually just spoke to him yesterday. And when I got offered [the part in Emmerdale], Mark told me it was a great job. He was full of praise for the place.

“I remember [Mark] saying when he was filming, that it’s such a gorgeous place to work – it’s really, really brilliant.

“So when this came along, I was excited. And it is great. He said to me, “I told you so” and I said, “You did”.”

Before Oliver joined the Dales, he was best known for his role as Andy Carver in Coronation Street.

Andy was held hostage by formidable villain and serial killer Pat Phelan, before he was brutally murdered in 2017.

John’s arrival will send shock waves through Yorkshire Dales – especially for Victoria Sugden – who is the only remaining family member in the village.

Once she arrives at the church, Victoria puts her foot in it with a bereaved son at his mum’s funeral.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

She is left stunned when the bereaved son announces his name is John Sugden.

Pollard awkwardly confirms John could well be her father’s son.

Later, Mackenzie Boyd receives a call from a nearby breakdown and he heads off to sort it out.

When Pollard and Victoria show up, Victoria’s made up to see John again.

Will John be welcomed into the family with open arms?

Speaking about joining Emmerdale, Oliver said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale.

“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.”

Producer Laura Shaw added: “We are thrilled to have an actor with Oliver’s talent and presence join the Emmerdale family.

“The Sugden’s 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.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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