Emmerdale viewers work out who's targeting Ruby and Caleb as 'new villain revealed'

Emmerdale viewers have come up with a major new theory surrounding Ruby and Caleb Miligan's drama with her late mother Helen Fox, and their daughter Stephanie

In a new Emmerdale theory, a familiar face could be targeting Ruby and Caleb Miligan in a huge storyline.

In fact some viewers think Ruby's mother Helen Fox has faked her own death and could be a new villain. Amid the teased arrival of Ruby and Caleb's daughter Stephanie and a major bombshell dropping this week, some fans are not convinced all is as it seems.

Just week ago Helen reached out to her estranged daughter Ruby after years of not talking. Ruby had fallen pregnant as a teenager and as she chose to keep the baby and stay with Caleb, who her parents hated, she was kicked out.

Abandoned by her parents, Ruby started her life with Caleb who she would go on to marry and have a second child with. Helen claimed on her deathbed she wanted to make amends with Ruby before she died.

There was a weird conversation though where Helen not only mentioned Ruby's AWOL daughter Stephanie, but she also suggested there was something Ruby needed to know. She died before Ruby got the chance to see her, leaving her devastated.

Amid speculation over what Helen had planned to say, a new twist has left Ruby in turmoil. Helen was cremated recently, and when her solicitor arrived to read out the will there was a shock.

Ruby found out that almost all of Helen's estate and money had been left to Stephanie. Ruby commented how she had done everything she could to keep Steph away from Helen, not wanting them to ever meet or speak.

So the fact they clearly had met and had been in contact behind Ruby's back left her stunned. Tearful Ruby struggled to process why Helen would leave her nothing and leave everything to Steph, almost alluding to the fact there's a big secret we are yet to be told.

That said fans watching the episode were convinced something was up, and that Ruby or maybe just Caleb was being set up. Given the weird secret meet-ups between Helen and Steph, who is also estranged from Ruby and Caleb, fans wondered if the pair were secretly working against the couple.

A motive was not given, but fans were unsure they believed Helen would have betrayed Ruby like that, with Ruby also questioning why her mum waited until her final days to make contact. Could someone, if not Helen, be out to get the couple?

Is Helen working with one or more characters to target Caleb who she has always hated? Has Helen got some sort of sinister plan for Ruby? It doesn't seem so but there is clearly more to find out.

Viewers think they have it sussed though with one writing: "I don’t think Ruby’s mum is dead. I also think that the nurse was paid off to go along with the story. Might be wrong." A fan replied: "If that's the case the solicitor must be in on it too."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .