Emmerdale‘s Cain Dingle will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in upcoming heartbreaking scenes – with actor Jeff Hordley expressing he feels ‘honoured’ by the special episode.
The ITV soap will document every stage of the health battle, with Cain’s decline kicking off as he diagnosed in scenes to air next week.
Cain, who has been played by Jeff, 55, for over two decades, learns he has an aggressive, yet localised, form of the cancer after getting checked.
He will be left overwhelmed by the diagnosis, as well as the potential side effects of the treatment plan recommended by specialists.
Cain is seen cutting the consultation short and leaving the doctors after it all becomes too much for him to handle.
The special episode, which is dedicated to the new storyline, will draw focus on Cain’s inner thoughts, telling the story from his perspective.
Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in upcoming heartbreaking scenes – as actor Jeff Hordley ‘honoured’ with a special episode
The ITV soap will be rocked by the shock health battle – as the character (right) finds out he is battling the disease in the episode which will air next week
Cain is seen struggling to process the news, causing mounting denial and anger that sees him clash with anyone who comes across his path.
It’s not only his health that Cain is losing sleep over, but his wife Moira, played by Natalie J Robb, who has just been charged with murder.
The episodes focusing on Cain’s diagnosis have been made in conjunction with Prostate Cancer UK – who helped the Emmerdale scriptwriters in the conception of the storyline for authenticity and realism.
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: ‘Cain instinctively felt like the right character to tell this story. He is a complex man that doesn’t normally talk about his feelings or channel them in a helpful way.
‘It’s important men are encouraged to get checked, but we also want to sensitively explore the possible side effects patients may have, but don’t necessarily talk about.
‘It’s also a love story for Cain and Moira as they navigate the tough times ahead as a married couple.’
Actor Jeff added: ‘I feel really honoured to be given this storyline and I am excited for the challenges it is already throwing at me.
‘This is the first proper illness my character, Cain, has been given and I want to play my part in making sure the audience can relate to the journey so many families unfortunately have to navigate.’
It’s not only his health that is causing problems for Cain, but his wife Moira, played by Natalie J Robb, has just been charged with murder
The scenes will show Cain struggling to come to terms with his diagnosis
While Prostate Cancer UK’s Laura Kerby concluded: ‘Storylines like Cain’s have a huge impact in reaching men and families up and down the country and putting prostate cancer, and men’s risk, on their radar.’
It comes after Emmerdale star Joshua Richards addressed his future on the ITV soap – after his character Bear Wolf returned in recent dramatic scenes.
Bear featured in a horrific modern day slavery storyline, where he was captured and put to work by traffickers Celia (Jaye Griffiths) and Ray (Joe Absolom).
Prior to being killed by Ray, evil Celia claimed she had murdered Bear – leaving viewers distraught.
But last Thursday’s (January 22) episode revealed Bear was, in fact, still alive as he rescued son Paddy (Dominic Brunt) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle).
Ray had trapped both Paddy Dingle (Dominic Brunt) and Dylan Penders (Fred Kettle) in their living room and the situation appeared to be dire.
However, Bear intervened and killed Ray in a surprise attack, despite Paddy and Dylan begging him to stop.
Bear Wolf, played by actor Joshua Richards, has been a staple of Emmerdale village since arriving in 2019
Joshua Richards (pictured), who has portrayed Bear since 2019, revealed he had spoken to the Salvation Army amid the character’s harrowing storyline
Since then, the pair have helped Bear cover up the killing – but will they be able to keep it a secret?
Speaking to Metro, actor Joshua opened up about where Bear’s storyline is going from here – and what that means for his role in Emmerdale.
He shared: ‘How he moves on I don’t know. It’s a painful process and I’m looking forward to the complexities with the writers and producers and the directors to find out where the journey goes next and what pathways we’re going to go down.
‘We’ve just been filming stuff already today and I’ve been shouting at Paddy.
‘So maybe he’s getting back to his old self if he’s shouting at people! But he’s still not right and this will take some time.’
Continuing, Joshua added: ‘The relationship between the two is an ongoing one – sometimes tenuous, sometimes loving, sometimes difficult, sometimes exhilarating.
‘I’m so fortunate to be having the pleasure and honour of working with the wonderful Dominic Brunt [who plays Paddy].’
Joshua began playing Bear in 2019, for a storyline where Paddy discovered the famous wrestler was his biological father.
Emmerdale continues tonight at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX
