Emmerdale's Jeff Hordley drops major clue about returning Dingle as identity 'revealed'

Emmerdale's Cain Dingle actor Jeff Hordley let slip some telling details about the Dingle returning to the ITV soap next week, with hints someone could return from the dead

Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley has dropped the biggest hints yet about the long-lost relative of the Dingles making a comeback.

A mystery relative of the family will head to the village next week leaving the family in shock, as they gather for the funeral of Zak Dingle. It's been heavily teased it's a past Dingle and that someone is returning to the show.

Now, Cain Dingle actor Jeff has dropped some massive hints about the person's identity, teasing some new details. After cast members hinted it was a familiar face and someone who has already been on the show, Jeff has now revealed drama is ahead.

He revealed the mystery person is someone "viewers might know" and that they will cause trouble ahead. In another possible hint Jeff suggested it could be a character who fans believe to be dead. Teasing who it is, Jeff said: "It's someone you might know. They’re not going to make things go smoothly for the Dingles. Could it be someone back from the dead?"

Viewers will have to tune in next week to find out who returns and why. The person will make their return for Zak's funeral, as the character is sadly killed off next week.

Actor Steve Halliwell, who played the fan favourite for decades, passed away in December last year. Now the soap and its cast will pay tribute to the actor and his iconic character Zak, as his death is announced.

The Dingles rally together as news of Zak's passing is revealed by his granddaughter Debbie Dingle, with very emotional scenes on the way. Cain soon informs his loved ones and soon he, sister Belle and their brother Sam Dingle reminisce.

Sam and Cain decide to set off to Scotland to bring their dad home, and later in the week the family gather for his funeral. Speaking about the emotional scenes ahead, Jeff said: "There's really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed.

"But off camera as well – and Steve would have enjoyed this, because Steve always liked to have a giggle behind the camera – whilst we weren't rolling, we made sure we had some laughs as well. Because when we do get together as a group, we do make sure that it's fun to film.

"What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn't just downbeat, we were making sure that we were having a laugh, and Steve wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The way they've written it, there were little scenes where I had to go to various members of the Dingle family. It was good, you know? It was a nice little piece. They react in various degrees of reacting to sad news. Nobody was expecting it."

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 .