fans were left sobbing as Robert Sugden returned to the soap after six years. Robert, played by Ryan Hawley, hasn't been seen since he was put in prison for the murder of Lee Posner in 2019. Robert attacked Lee after he sexually assaulted his sister, Victoria Sugden (Isabel Hodgins), hitting him over the head with a shovel. But when Lee died from his injuries, Robert was handed a 14-year sentence for manslaughter. Robert's imprisonment spelled the end for his marriage to Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) following a five-year on-off romance. Robert and Aaron, dubbed Robron, captured the hearts of fans throughout the course of their relationship.

And now the character has finally returned, just in time for the wedding of his ex-husband and his killer half-brother, John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). Despite believing John was still in love with his ex, Aidan, Aaron decided to go ahead with the ceremony after he was convinced by his husband-to-be. But as the couple prepared to say their vows, Robert appeared in the doorway. "Hello Aaron," Robert said. "Miss me?" Fans went wild over Robert's return, with several unable to contain their emotions as they flocked to social media.

"I'm going to cry," one simply declared as a second exclaimed: "AAAAAAHHH YES ROBERT WE DID WE MISSED YOU SO MUCH," followed by several crying emojis.

A third posted: "I am in tears. Robert my son." Another shared: "I'm actually screaming!! ROBRON!! Thank you ."

But viewers were quick to issue an urgent plea to the soap as they begged for Robert's comeback to not be as part of a dream sequence.

Taking to X, one wrote: "If in the next episode this turns out to be a dream I'm kicking off! It's not often a soap story surprises me but this one got me!!"

"This best not be a dream sequence," added a second as a third agreed: "Please tell me that was real and not an imaginary dream thing.."

A fourth begged: "It better not be a dream, please."

Another warned: "If this appearance is a john dream i will sue until they're forced to stop making the show."

Opening up about his return, Ryan told : "It sets up a fantastic few episodes to finish off the wedding week, which shows how the incident of Robert turning up will resolve itself."

He continued: "Rejoining the cast of feels fantastic. I've been having so much fun being back here. Oddly, more fun than I thought it was going to be, in a good way.

"We've been filming some great stuff. There's a lot more to Robert's return than just the value of opening the door. I've been having so much fun, everyone's been lovely, and there are a lot of familiar faces and loads of really positive energy about the place."