Hello, hello, my lovely Misfits,
And welcome to another part of ATGILB. Yes, it seems this acronym is slowly but surely growing on me. And this series anyway as I still can’t stop going back to all my favourite old school couples and swoon over their utter cuteness. And the following couple in particular, I have to admit. There are a few scenes, these two presented to us, that live rent free in my mind and my heart and I still smile like an utter lunatic every time I just think about it.
So get ready for Heartbreako Saurus Blex because this couple deserve nothing less.
Pairing: Robert and Aaron
Series: Emmerdale
Country: UK
Genre: Daily Soap
Is It Finished Or Ongoing?
It’s over, sadly. Well, maybe it isn’t as you never know with soaps, but currently both characters are not residing in Emmerdale anymore, the fictional village the show takes place in.
(Update January 2026: This couple is not over. Far from it. Danny Miller returned to Emmerdale and his role as Aaron Dingle quiet soon after his inital departure and Ryan Hawley returned to his role of Robert Sugden after a six years hiatus.. Which all gave us the chance to witness the magic that is Robron once more.)
What Is This Storyline About?
Aaron has been the village bad boy for a long time. He is part of the infamous Dingle clan and the Dingles are definitely known as a family of slightly interesting moral ideas. Aaron struggled for the longest time with his sexuality and his coming out storyline is definitely something you should watch, because it’s just heart wrenching and Danny Miller, who plays Aaron, got pretty much just handed every possible award for his portrayal of the struggling thug. So Aaron had his fair share of complicated storylines in the past, but all should get a million times worse when Robert suddenly returns to the village.
Robert has grown up in Emmerdale but left to make it big somewhere else. And now he is coming back in style with a rich bride which promises wealth and success to the slightly dodgy businessman. The first few meetings between Aaron, the slightly petty crook, and Robert, the pretentious conman, don’t really go as planned. Both are definitely hot heads and they clash so hard that it can just end in a kiss.
And what started so innocently with just one kiss, turns into an epic lovestory that you can follow throughout the next couple of years.
We go from two men hating each other’s guts, to loving husbands and yes, everything possible in between. We have violence, attempted murder, accidents, people getting really hurt, reappearing family members and so much more. Their storyline really has it all and through everything the love these two men have for each other is shining through like a freaking beacon.
How Did I Like The Pairing?
I loved the pair. I think I don’t say anything new here, when I admit that I have a heart for slightly damaged characters struggling to find their way in the world. I think I can relate to that so much, so that’s why I love these storylines so much. I was also saved by love and I really can’t stop swooning over storylines with the same topic.
Aaron and Robert are both two extremely damaged people. They have both done awful things. To each other and to the people around them. But also to themselves as you can see again and again. It’s really sometimes a very dramatic storyline with very dark chapters they tell. But the acting from both Danny Miller and Ryan Hawley is so good, you believe it all. You really experience all the highs and the lows with Aaron and Robert and in the end they will always find each other again.
Well, apart from the current ending of their storyline. As that definitely isn’t a happy end, while also being quite a bittersweet ending in itself. And you never know. Maybe there will be another chapter in their book coming up. You can never know with English soaps after all.
Do I Recommend It?
Absolutely. This storyline is one of the absolute best daily soaps can offer you. The topics they discuss in there are just so real and important to talk about. We have internalised homophobia, childhood trauma, coming out, trying to build a family, recurring mental health issues and so many other things. And everything is getting carried by these two extremely fabulous actors who embody their characters in such a unique way that you will definitely cry and laugh with both of them. It really is so real and raw at moments that you really will get swept off your feet at times. So yes, if you ever wanted to dip your toes into daily soap gays, this storyline can’t be recommended enough.
Where To Watch?
Youtube is your friend really. Just search for Aaron and Robert and you will find a list of different playlists from different years. This storyline starts 2014 and it runs until Ryan Hawley leaves in 2019. So yeah, you have five freaking years to enjoy these two and their shenanigans. Quite a bit to catch up with.
Oh, and in case you are not familiar with the gay daily soap scene… The people uploading the videos are just uploading the specific scenes for the couple and nothing else from the episodes. So you don’t have to sit through five years of Emmerdale if you want to watch these two in action.
And that’s it. Another ATGILB is done and dusted. Now I just have to think about the next couple to introduce. Any preferences from you guys? Another country maybe? Another kind of genre? Just let me know and I shall look through my neverending archives to find the right couple for you.
First posted on BLDA
Your Heart's Content 