Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley has opened up about whether Cain Dingle will stand by Charity Dingle when her baby lie is revealed, and teased Cain's revenge on Robert Sugden.
Cain's Health Battle and Revenge Plot
It is a worrying time for Cain Dingle as he prepares to undergo surgery to treat his advanced prostate cancer next week on Emmerdale. However, his recovery is the last thing on his mind when a betrayal is uncovered, and Cain is out for revenge. Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) could be in serious danger as Cain attacks him after discovering Robert was partly to blame for Moira Dingle, Cain's wife, being sent to prison earlier this year.
Jeff Hordley, who has played Cain for 26 years, warns that as "the red mist descends" on the character, Robert may want to watch his back. Jeff explains: "Moira spills the beans about Robert and what he did. He says he won't do anything, but he thinks it would be a good idea to go round there so he takes a hammer, takes Sam (Dingle) and ties Robert up in a chair. He tries to get the information out of him because he's fuming about it, even though he's still not feeling 100% after his operation. I think he sees red towards Robert."
Cain's Struggle with Cancer
Cain is still struggling with his cancer diagnosis, and next week he has an operation to remove his prostate. The operation appears to go well, but when Cain wakes up he realises he is attached to a catheter and is urinating blood. "It's frightening him," says Jeff, 56. "When the doctor tells him he will need the catheter at home it knocks him for six. Then he pretends to his wife and his kids that he'll be allowed out of the hospital if he can walk, but he's scared to go home attached to this catheter because of the stigma that's attached to it and the shame that's attached to it in his eyes. He pretends that he can't walk and stays in the hospital for a few extra days."
Kyle's Struggles
Cain is not the only one struggling with his health battle, as his young son Kyle will begin to act out of character. Jeff explains: "Cain can see that he's struggling a bit because before he goes into hospital, Kyle doesn't have breakfast with the rest of the family. Cain is keeping an eye. He can see he's not quite right, but he's just thinking he's just lost his mum the year previous, but he doesn't understand if there's anything else going on." This would not be the first time Cain has had to worry about Kyle. In 2022, a row between Cain and Al Chapman ended with Kyle accidentally shooting and killing Al, so it is no wonder Cain is keen to make sure Kyle is not spiralling again.
Cain's Default DNA
As for Cain's own spiralling behaviour, Jeff reckons that not learning from his mistakes is part of Cain's "default DNA". He says: "I think he's always going to have those red mist moments where he kind of loses clarity. I think we see it less but I think it's always got to be there." There will be plenty of light-hearted scenes too, now that Cain is living back with the Dingles after he and Moira lost their farm to the Tates. Jeff teases: "There's moments of lightness with Sam and Lydia to kind of bounce off. I think it's like a pressure valve for some of the angsty stuff that's going on." Jeff also believes fans have nothing to worry about after concerns Cain and Moira could split up. He says: "There's a touch of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth there. She'll match him."
Charity's Baby Lie
Fans may remember that recently, Cain vowed to be there for his ex Charity Dingle should she need someone to lean on, handing her a St. Christopher necklace. Of course, Cain has no idea that Charity has lied about their granddaughter Sarah Sugden's baby. Charity welcomed Sarah and her partner Jacob's baby via surrogacy in a recent episode, but viewers know the baby is actually Charity and Ross Barton's. Jeff says Cain could still have Charity's back when the betrayal comes to light. He tells us: "I like the fact that he did say that, and I know what they're kind of alluding to, because when this baby stuff comes out, that necklace is going to get dropped back into his hands. I think that would be a great thing if he does step up for her. I personally would like to see that."
His support for Charity could upset his beloved granddaughter Sarah. Jeff says he enjoys filming with Sarah actress Katie Hill, and so he hopes the baby bombshell does not come between them. Jeff shares: "That episode where the camera was on Cain and the pair of us came into view at the end, Katie was just amazing throughout that and throughout all of the stories. She's just such a good young actress. She's been a joy to work with. We've sadly not got Charley Webb anymore but I think she really steps into those shoes really well. It's a slightly different dynamic but it's quite similar as well, and she's a character that can also get Cain to talk."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
