Emmerdale fans 'work out' Nate Robinson is 'not dead' and is working with unlikely villager

Emmerdale fans are rife with speculation that Nate Robinson, played by Jurell Carter, might be in cahoots with an unexpected villager after his sudden disappearance, while some fear he may have perished in the barn fire.

The drama unfolded in Thursday's extended episode, where it was disclosed that Ruby Milligan (Beth Cordingly) and Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb) had survived the barn explosion.

Lawrence Robb's character Mackenzie Boyd and Emmerdale newcomer John Sugden, brought to life by Oliver Farnworth, were also among those who made it out safely after attempting a daring rescue. Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) also faced danger but emerged without injury.

Yet, despite John revealing his history as an army medic, viewers are suspicious of him, especially since he has announced he's leaving the village. Could he be hiding something about Nate?

Tracy Metcalfe (Amy Walsh) confronted John in the village, pressing for details on the fire and Nate's location. "Can you smell smoke? " she asked, to which John replied: "There was a fire at the farm," reports Lancs Live.

A stunned Tracy pressed: "What? Not a bad one though? " John grimly responded, "Pretty much as bad as it gets."

Tracy persisted, asking about the attendees and their safety. "Moira, Ruby, and Will were taken to hospital," John disclosed.

"But they are going to be ok? " Tracy inquired, with John conceding, "I don't know. They weren't in a good way, it didn't look good."

When pressed about Nate's whereabouts, John asserted that he had departed the village already, leaving viewers to wonder if he was telling the truth.

John clarified: "He wasn't there, he left before it happened, he mentioned Shetland."

To which Tracy, taken aback,