Emmerdale legend Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle on the ITV soap, has been living with Crohn's disease for 30 years after being diagnosed in 1996 at age 26. The chronic condition, which has no cure, causes inflammation in the digestive system. Hordley first noticed symptoms at 20 but was initially misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.
Managing Crohn's Disease Through Diet
Hordley revealed on the Another Day Another Collar podcast that he no longer takes medication for his Crohn's disease. Instead, he manages symptoms through dietary changes, eating seasonally from his allotment and exercising regularly. He stated: 'I've now managed to keep it under wraps because of diet... I've managed to avoid any medication, which not every Crohn's sufferer manages to do.'
Cain Dingle's Prostate Cancer Storyline
On Emmerdale, Hordley's character Cain Dingle is battling prostate cancer. After undergoing surgery, Cain learned that the cancer may have spread, requiring additional treatment like radiotherapy, which could cause permanent incontinence. The storyline has prompted Hordley to get a PSA test in real life, encouraging other men his age to do the same.
Personal Life and Marriage
Hordley married Emmerdale co-star Zoe Henry (who plays Rhona Goskirk) in 2005 at Hedingham Castle. The couple met at drama school in 1994 and have two children, Violet and Stan. They often learn lines together and juggle childcare with their acting schedules. Hordley proposed to Henry in 2002 after she won a Best Actress award.
Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
