Emmerdale's John Sugden (played by Oliver Farnworth) looks set to exit the soap, and fuming viewers are not only encouraging his exit,but begging he is killed off in the ITV drama. Oliver is believed to have quit the role and the character's departure comes after an action-packed year in which he left a trail of murder and devastation in his wake. His evil ways have yet to be revealed but rather than hoping he gets his just dessserts from the long arm of the law fans have decided he must die in order to properly conclude the storyline.

A Reddit forum on the topic was flooded with people hoping the evil medic will meet his end. "My opinion ... the only fitting end to this storyline and John, would be that he is killed/dies (and I wouldn't mind if it were accidental, no one needs to live with his blood on their hands.) I don't think he should go to trial. If he goes to trial and is sent to prison (or asylum, if he pleads insanity.. I don't know the law there), there's a possibility of him coming back and I don't think anyone wants that," one wrote.

"He has to be killed off, surely? I mean he knows all the secrets about Anthony's demise and would be sure to spill those beans if he gets caught, taking half the village down with him," another added.

They were referring to the murder of Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day) who was killed by his daugher Ruby Fox-Milligan (Beth Cordingly).

Anthony had been exposed as an abuser and after his horrific crimes came to light many villagers wanted revenge.

Although Ruby killed him several other residents, including Caleb Milligan (Will Ash), Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter), and Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), are involved in covering up the murder. Meanwhile John had a hand in disposing of Anthony's body.

A third agreed with this theory writing: "I tend to think John is going to have to die, if he lives he remains a threat to Robert and to the whole village involved in Anthony's disposal."

"I prefer it when a serial killer dies because it saves the long drawn out trial. I suspect John will turn everyone against John and harm Aaron in some way," a fourth speculated.

However, a fourth admitted they would rather he faced proper justice. "I just hope we get the satisfaction of John facing people's reactions to the real him. Also, proper justice.

"I do not want him to be killed off before we get to see those horrified reactions, Aaron/Victoria (and pretty much the whole village) recoiling in horror and rejecting him completely. It would be such a major letdown to miss out on the drama of that," they said.