Emmerdale fans were impressed and a bit relieved over a twist involving Matty Barton on the ITV soap on Friday, with fresh hope for Robert Sugden amid John Sugden’s lies

In what has been deemed a major plot twist by Emmerdale fans, Friday’s episode saw a new and unlikely character cast doubt over John Sugden’s claims.

With Aaron Dingle fighting for his life after his husband John dragged him off a cliff, John has successfully framed his brother Robert Sugden, Aaron’s ex, for the crime after their fling. Aaron had just rumbled all of John’s dark crimes, or most of them, when John took revenge.

But fear not fans, as with a downfall inevitable and exit scenes on the way, it may have been revealed who triggers this comeuppance. It’s safe to say it’s an unexpected twist from the show, but fans are “loving it”.

On Friday we saw Matty Barton step forward as the possible trigger of John’s show end. How so? Well, when Robert made contact with Matty from prison and begged him to hear him out, Matty actually listened to him – unlike anyone else.

Robert and John’s sister Victoria Sugden has disowned him, buying John’s full, ridiculous story and leaving Robert with nowhere to turn after his arrest. That was until Matty decided to help, making it clear that he could believe Robert over John.

Robert begged him to not hang up the phone and help him speak with Vic. Matty heard every word he had to say and then went to Vic’s house to speak with her.

Of course classic Vic, she refused to listen at first and told Matty that Robert was lying. As Matty explained what Robert had said and why he’d come round, he urged her to hear his side of the story.

As he shared some of Robert’s claims Victoria fumed, and told him she “couldn’t believe he was falling for it”. But Matty then left her thoughtful with a comment that has given fans some major hope.

He simply said: “What if he’s telling the truth though Vic? I know it sounds mad but if you don’t hear what he’s got to say, how will you ever really know?”

There’s of course some irony in the fact that Vic told Matty he’s being played, when she’s allowed John to pull the wool over her eyes and everyone else for months. But might this be the turning point where she finally listens to the truth?

Now Matty didn’t outright say that he believed Robert and not John, but the fact he’s helping him and said “what if he’s telling the truth” suggests doubt, and it could mean he suspects John IS lying after all. Fans were thrilled to have ‘King Matty’ in Robert’s corner, calling it an “unexpected” twist, but adding they were here for it.

A fan commented: “Well this was UNEXPECTED. Yessss Matty you absolute legend. Maybe an outside perspective is what was needed in the end to see sense.” Another fan said: “I’m so sorry Matty that I didn’t think about you to save the day you’re an absolute legend.”

Another fan wrote: “Matty being the ally was such a plot twist but I love it,” as a fourth said: “I didn’t expect that but thank you Matty! Finally.” A further tweet read: “I really did not expect MATTY to be the one to question Robert’s guilt AT ALL, but THANK YOU SO MUCH.”