Five huge ITV Emmerdale theories: devastating prison exit and TWO shock returns

DAN Spencer’s fate in the Dales is hanging by a fragile thread after he punched creepy stalker Lloyd.

Emmerdale viewers are struggling to find hope for the mechanic. Here’s a roundup of our best theories for this week.

1. Life sentence for one resident

ITV aired disturbing scenes during which Amelia Spencer (played by Daisy Campbell) was thrown into stalking horror after one of her followers became obsessed with her through her social media activity.

However, the teen girl decided to give Lloyd (Matt Sutton) a chance and heard him out in the village church.

The pair exchanged a hug – and Amelia’s dad Dan (Liam Fox) watched them from afar.

Incandescent with rage, the mechanic immediately confronted Lloyd who goaded him and, on impulse, punched him.

But the punch could change Dan’s life forever as Lloyd was taken to hospital unconscious and convulsing following their altercation – and soap viewers are convinced he will die.

Coming up, Amelia warns Dan not to make things worse for himself but he still turns up to the hospital to check on Lloyd, where he bumps into Julie, Lloyd’s wife, to his shock.

Later on, Dan tries to cover his fears in front of Amelia as the police take him in for further questioning.

Once at the Police Station, he quickly realises that his visit to the hospital reflects poorly on his case.

To his surprise, DS Giles reveals that they’ve found nothing on Lloyd’s devices to suggest he’s broken any laws.

Unsettled by the news, Dan’s rattled when DS Giles challenges him to tell him the truth.

Unfortunately, Dan is then charged with GBH, leaving him scared witless.

Back in the village, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) urges him to pull himself together for Amelia’s sake.

The following day, Amelia finds the paperwork revealing that her dad was charged with GBH yesterday.

He despairs when she continues to question him about his arrest.

An overwhelmed and mortified Dan then wanders through the woods, necking a bottle of whisky until David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) finds him.

Dan vents to David about how one stupid moment of madness has wrecked his life and left him unable to look after Amelia and his granddaughter Esther.

Worried that he could still face a murder charge if Lloyd dies in hospital, David struggles to talk him round.

Dan gets another nasty surprise next week after Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) remind him they’re all on his side.

Dan is left feeling wretched when Lloyd’s wife Julie shows up at the Woolpack.

Could she be bringing bad news?

Dan already confessed to hitting Lloyd which would force to face the music for an even bigger crime if Lloyd passes away.

Will he go to prison?

2. Harsh consequences

With her father potentially facing life in prison, Amelia is on tenterhooks this week.

Things go from bad to worse when Amelia tells her dad that they need to have an honest conversation after he gets home in a drunken haze with the help of David Metcalfe.

Amelia is devastated when Dan drunkenly blames his GBH charge on her social media influencing.

Fans of the Yorkshire-based drama were fuming with Amelia last week when she seeded to be taking Lloyd’s defence after Dan punched him.

How will she cope without Dan in the picture?

Amelia has been relying on him to help her raise and provide for her daughter Esther, which ultimately led to her becoming an influencer.

Where will she go if Dan is incarcerated?

Could she rely on Noah Dingle and his family?

Will Mandy Dingle step in?

Or could Amelia have to leave the Dales altogether in the hopes of a fresh start?

3. Newcomer keeps dark secret

Elsewhere in the eponymous village, the Sharmas are slowly recovering from some rocky times after Jai (Chris Bisson) found out he was adopted.

This week, Rishi Sharma (Bhasker Patel) is reunited with his nephew Suni as actor Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana takes on the new role.

Suni arrives in the village in advance of Jai and Laurel’s wedding and it’s not long before Nicky Milligan (Lewis Cope) catches his eye.

Gabby soon spots the pair getting acquainted and lays into Nicky in front of a stunned pub.

While Nicky may have to explain his troubled past to Suni, could the newcomer be keeping a dark secret, like many newcomers that have reached the Dales?

4. Shock return

Suni is due to settle into Emmerdale with a little help from Nicky – but how will their romance grow?

Prior to Suni, Nicky was involved with another man named Ally and the pair had plans to live out their lives together.

But when Ally found out Nicky had been using Gabby Thomas to get to the Tate fortune on behalf of his father Caleb, he decided to call off the relationship and left him in the dust as he drove away from Emmerdale.

Could Ally come back with a change of heart as Nicky embarks on a new romance?

5. Old flames reunited

Speaking of exes, Tracy Metcalfe (Amy Walsh) and Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) took everyone by surprise when they tied the knot.

Nate was originally caught by Cain and Moira Dingle supposedly trying to crash Tracy’s wedding.

The couple were stunned when Nate revealed he’d had plans to marry Tracy all along.

Tracy and Nate desperately wanted to keep their nuptials private – but they were cornered in the Woolpack as the Dingles organised a surprise party.

While most of Nate’s family was present, an important in-law was missing out – Tracy’s sister Vanessa.

The vet left Emmerdale for a job opportunity in Canada – but could she return once she gets wind of her sister’s wedding?

Could a single Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) decide to give love with Vanessa another go as a result?

How would Suzy Merton react?

Only time will tell.

Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7.30pm on ITV.