RUBY Miligan faces heartbreak in Emmerdale as her estranged father Anthony unexpectedly arrives in the village, bringing devastating news.

New characters are set to shake things up in Emmerdale as Ruby Fox-Milligan’s (Beth Cordingly) estranged family arrives following her mother’s death.

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Her father, Anthony (Nicholas Day), will join her daughter, Steph (Georgia Jay), in the village, promising drama and explosive reunions.

Next week, news about Anthony’s health will send shockwaves through the family.

Upcoming scenes on the ITV soap will see Ruby beg Steph for another chance.

But when Anthony returns, he stuns Steph with the news that he has cancer.

Saddened by Anthony’s diagnosis, Steph pledges her support, hoping it might help mend the strained relationship between him and Ruby.

However, some viewers convinced that Ruby may not be Stephanie’s real mother after all.

They are suggesting that village icon Kim Tate (Claire King) could actually be Stephanie’s biological mum.

One viewer wrote: “I’m saying it now Kim Tate is her real mother!’

Another added: “They do look very similar! And same ruthless behaviour too, you might be onto something!”

A third penned: “I would love this. Anything is possible!”

Fans may recognise 77-year-old actor Nicholas Day from his roles in Minder and The Crown, as well as his narration in Netflix’s Myths and Monsters.

He also appeared in series one of BBC drama New Tricks as Deputy Assistant Commissioner Donald Bevan.

Talking about joining the soap, Nicholas said: “I’ve been made so welcome in the Emmerdale family.

“And my screen family is great to work with, the scenes just fly. No kidding – I feel blessed.”

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.

Meanwhile, Georgia shared: “I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. The cast and crew have all been so welcoming and I’m very excited to see what lies ahead for Steph, given her intriguing backstory.

“I can’t say too much about it, but it is an exciting storyline to be coming into, the past will be revealed of why she hasn’t been in the picture for so long.

“I can say when she sees dad and mum for the first time, she’s not there to stay – it’s more ‘I want something then I’m going to leave’.

“She wants nothing to do with [it], and just wants to get the money and go.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.

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