EMMERDALE has dropped a Christmas Day bombshell on fans with the return of a serial killer – and he’s found a new victim.

The ITV soap is packed with festive scenes this year but also a twisted return as murderer John Sugden made a shock comeback.

The estranged husband of Aaron Dingle fled the village earlier this year after his crimes were exposed.

He travelled to Europe with the help of Caleb Miligan and disappeared as a police manhunt was launched to find him.

The character even turned up on wanted posters in sister soap Coronation Street ahead of the dramatic crossover event CorrieDale next month.

But tonight he is well and truly back in Emmerdale – and he’s taken another victim already.

It was revealed that when Robert Sugden’s estranged husband Kev tried to shoot him that he only stopped because John stopped him – and took him captive.

When Kev came to in John’s hideout, he recognised the other Robron husband and the pair sniped at each other as Kev taunted him for being unhinged.

John eventually left Kev bound and unable to escape to go and stalk the village.

Taking a risk, he let himself into the pub where Aaron was sleeping in the back room – while his family celebrated in the bar.

Narrowly avoiding being caught by Liam, John menacingly told a sleeping Aaron that they would be reunited.

Leaning in he said: “So many people care about you but not one of them as much as I do.