Emmerdale to air three huge episodes including Bear's return and Robert's life in prison

Emmerdale will air three special standalone episodes featuring key storylines this autumn including a reflective look behind the bars of Robert Sugden’s incarceration and Bear's recent disappearance.

Earlier this year, Emmerdale fans were left in shock when Ryan Hawley made his dramatic return to the soap, reprising his role as Robert Sugden, crashing the wedding of his brother John Sugden and Aaron Dingle. Robert was sent to prison in 2019 after being sentenced to life for the murder of Lee Posner.

Now, this autumn, fans will be able to see what really went down over those six years - and if it changed him forever. Fans are aware that Robert has a 'secret husband', Kev, whom he met in prison, who has recently been released and is living in the village.

Elsewhere, another episode will answer all the unanswered questions about Bear's disappearance. The soap will explore the hundred missing days of Bear’s life, and viewers will learn that he is sadly trapped in an all too common situation for a forgotten generation...

When Paddy and Bear found life under the same roof difficult, Bear decided to leave for another life in Ireland. Paddy believed his estranged father was safe with friends in Ireland, but it becomes apparent that he wasn't there at all - but where did he disappear to?

Lastly, another special episode set to air in Autumn will explore this fragile and possibly broken relationship between April Dingle and her father, Marlon, as she slips further away from his grasp.

It comes after April's storyline in which the teen is at the mercy of the merciless drug dealers.

Emmerdale have not confirmed an exact date for these standalone episodes, but fans can expect them to air sometime this autumn.

Fans of the ITV soap can expect a lot more twists and turns over the final months of 2026 as stars including Bradley Riches, Shebz Miah, Lisa Riley, Ash Palmisciano, Beth Cordingly, Rosie Bentham and Bradley Johnson spilled the beans to the Mirror at the Inside Soap Awards.

After the special standalone episode, we'll be getting ready for all the Christmas drama - and it's set to be dramatic.

So much so, Lewis Barton actor Bradley said fans would be saying "what the f**k" when they see what goes down.

Vinny Dingle star Bradley Johnson and Mandy Dingle star Lisa also teased a devastating storyline for Bear, which will run through to Christmas and then past Christmas too. Bradley said: "We’ve got the Bear storyline coming up!" whilst Lisa added: "We don’t know where Bear is.

The drama on Emmerdale continues Friday at 7:30 PM on ITV1 and STV, or from 7:00 AM on ITVX and STV Player.

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