Cain Dingle

Cain Dingle
Cain Dingle in 2009
Emmerdale character
Portrayed by	Jeff Hordley
Introduced by	Kieran Roberts (2000) Anita Turner (2009)
Duration	2000–06, 2009—
First appearance	30 March 2000
Classification	Present; regular
Spin-off appearances	Emmerdale: The Dingles, For Richer for Poorer (2010)
Profile
Date of birth	30 November 1974
Home	Tug Ghyll
Occupation	Mechanic (2000–06, 2009-) Businessman (2006–09)
Family Family Dingle Father Zak Dingle Mother Faith Dingle Stepmother Lisa Dingle Half brothers Nathan Dingle Ben Dingle Butch Dingle Sam Dingle Half sisters Tina Dingle Chas Dingle Belle Dingle Sons Kyle Wyatt Daughters Debbie Dingle Granddaughters Sarah Sugden Grandfathers Jedediah Dingle Grandmothers Peg Dingle Uncles Shadrach Dingle Albert Dingle Caleb Dingle Ezra Dingle Zebediah Dingle Moses Dingle Cousins Marlon Dingle Eli Dingle Mandy Dingle Lilith Dingle Delilah Dingle Gennie Walker Nephews Aaron Livesy Samson Dingle

Cain Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale played by Jeff Hordley. Cain made his first appearance on 30 March 2000 before leaving in 2006. Hordley was asked to return to the serial but initially turned the offer down until he felt the "time was right". Cain made his return on February 2009. Cain is known for his "bad boy" status. Cain's storylines have focused on his relationships including his relationship with Charity Dingle. Cain's other storylines have included discovering he is the father of Debbie Dingle and more recently being attacked in a whodunit storyline where his assailant was eventually revealed to be his father, Zak Dingle.

Creation and casting

In 2000 series producer Kieran Roberts introduced three new members of the Dingle family. The new characters were introduced to the regular cast in 2000, who first arrived at the funeral of Butch Dingle (Paul Loughran). Among them were Cain (Jeff Hordley) son of Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) and Faith Dingle (Gillian Jephcott). Cain's cousin and one-time lover Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), and Zak's brother Shadrach (Andy Devine). In April 2006 it was announced that Jeff Hordley had quit, however the door had been left open for a possible return in the future. In January 2009 it was announced that Cain Dingle would return to Emmerdale in April that year after a three-year break. Speaking to Digital Spy about his return, Hordley said "I am really looking forward to returning to Emmerdale. The storylines that lead to Cain’s return are in keeping with his character and a perfect way to bring him back to the heart of the Dingle clan where he belongs". Hordley later said that he initially turned down a return but when he was approached about returning he thought the storyline was "great" and he felt like "the time was right for me".

Development

Characterisation

“	Cain is a master criminal and the bad boy of the village. He's been involved in many scams (mostly involving money) and been to jail on more than one occasion, however, he's not evil to the core and has developed a conscience in recent years. Despite his difficult relationship with his daughter Debbie, he would do anything for her.	”
—itv.com on Cain.

The character was labelled a "ruthless hard man", a "bad boy" and a "villain" by Digital Spy. Itv.com also described Cain as the "village pariah" and commented that he likes "being in charge" but dislikes "being made a fool of". What's on TV described him as saying" "a villain through and through, Cain Dingle will even cross his own family if it's worth his while!" Cain has also been described as the "village's unmistakable bad boy". When casting a new family for the serial one character specification casting a similar character to Cain described Cain's earlier tenure saying: "much in the early Cain Dingle mould, ruthless, unscrupulous, and extremely promiscuous". Hordley said Debbie is Cain's Achilles' heel who he would "move mountains for" while "women are his other Achilles heel, but he won't move mountains for them".

Relationship with Charity Dingle

Upon Cain's return to the village he and Charity reunite. Charity proposes on Christmas day to which Cain accepts. Hordley explained that the couple can't see they are made for each other as they are "so busy competing and getting one up on each other" which means that they fail to see that they are "the same". Atkins said Charity asked Cain to marry her to "prove a point". On a storyline in which Cain and Charity plan carry out a scam said it would make the audience question whether "will they/won't they pull it off" and added it is a "Bonnie and Clyde storyline but without the deaths!" Hordley said he and Atkins "spark off and bounce off" each other which Hordley added made it "easier for me to act with her". Atkins added that that she felt "having a good rapport in that way both on and off screen is vital I'd say". Digital Spy described the relationship as "volatile".

Return

Hordley said Cain's return is his way of "coming back unannounced" and added "Cain's style is to surprise people, but there has been involvement in the storyline as he was the one to get Debbie released from prison". Hordley felt that upon Cain's return "everyone's moved on". Hordley added that Cain "looks down on" Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller). He added that Aaron is "ike a little puppy looking up to Cain, thinking that his uncle's the bee's knees". Hordley added "There's a great relationship going to build there. Aaron stands for everything Cain was - he's a younger version of him and Cain recognises that. There's definitely lots of undiscovered territory there". On Cain and Chas's relationship Hordley also felt that it "hasn't really been explored" even though they have been in the serial a long time together the relationship is still "non-existent". This left "so much scope" and "with Aaron being involved, too. There certainly should be more involvement and I'm hopeful there will be". On Cain's relationship with Debbie, Hordley said the relationship was "true to the character's roots". He added that Cain will "do whatever it takes to look after that girl. If there's one Achilles heel of Cain, it's his daughter. It's his weakness and he'll move mountains for her". Hordley also felt that Cain's relationship with Charity was "going to be a big thing" and that he expected there would be "a lot of stuff between Charity, Debbie and Cain".

Who attacked Cain?

In 2011, it was announced that Cain would become part of a "major" storyline where he is attacked by a "mystery" assailant. The storyline developed after Cain had made several enemies throughout the year and forced one of his enemies to "take the ultimate revenge". Producers stylised the plot as a "whodunit storyline" which will keep viewers guessing as to whom attacks Cain. The potential attackers were revealed to be John Barton (James Thornton), Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb), Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson), Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny), Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) and Charity Tate (Emma Atkins). A spokesperson for the serial stated that the characters had become "sworn enemies" of Cain, all "all pushed to the limit after months of manipulation and destruction". While Emmerdale's executive producer Stuart Blackburn said that the climax of Cain's actions "will be one of our most dramatic episodes this year" as viewers decide who took "matters into their own hands". It was revealed to be Zak Dingle, Cain's father.

Storylines

2000–06

Cain Dingle as he appeared in 2000.

Cain arrives for his cousin Butch Dingle's funeral and takes a dislike to policewoman Angie Reynolds and Chris Tate, who he feels is responsible for Butch's death. He allows Angie's daughter Ollie to believe he fancies her but makes a play for Angie. Angie is horrified but after a year of flirting, they begin an affair. When Angie ends the relationship Cain has sex with Ollie, pushes Len Reynolds down a flight of stairs and causes Angie to lose her job. Cain and Angie plan to rob a Tate Haulage truck and escape together but Angie sets Cain up to get him out of her life permanently. Angie's car crashes and she sustains fatal injuries. Cain begs her to say she loves him but she says she loves her children before dying. As a teenager, Cain had a brief relationship with his cousin Charity who later arrives in Emmerdale. On hearing she is dating Chris Tate, Cain hits her. Paddy and Emily Kirk foster Debbie Jones, who befriends the Dingles. Debbie shows Cain a picture of her biological mother and Cain later realises Charity is Debbie's mother. Cain later realises he is Debbie's father. Cain blackmails Charity, threatening to tell Chris. Charity tells Chris so Cain can't. Cain and Debbie grow close.

Cain and Charity begin having an affair. Chris realises Cain and Charity are having an affair. Chris discovers he has a fatal brain tumor and before dying framed Charity for his murder. Cain is with Chris when he dies. Cain leaves the village with Debbie but returns to prove his innocence. While Charity is in jail Cain and Charity admit their love. Upon her release, Charity can't live with Cain and they end their relationship. Tom King and Charity become engaged. Sadie King hires Cain to ruin Tom and Charity's wedding. Sadia and Cain make it seem as though Cain and Charity are having an affair. Charity clears her name and leaves the village. Sadie and Cain spend the night together and after Sadie rejects him, Cain kills her dog. Cain and Debbie move in to Butler's Farm with Andy Sugden.

Debbie has a brief relationship with Andy and falls pregnant. Debbie gives birth and Cain becomes close to Debbie's baby daughter, Sarah. Debbie decides to put Sarah up for adoption. Cain pressures Debbie to be a mother. While desperate Debbie persuades Emily to take Sarah with her when she leaves the village. Cain begins acting nastily towards Debbie. Debbie moves in with Ashley Thomas and begins a relationship with Ashley's niece, Jasmine Thomas. Cain ends their relationship by seducing Jasmine and making sure Debbie discovers them together. Debbie vows revenge on Cain. She and Jasmine reconcile when Jasmine tells Debbie that she was pregnant and wanted an abortion. Cain is thrilled at the prospect of becoming a father again. Sadie discovers this and decides to pay for Jasmine to have a private abortion as revenge for Cain killing her dog. Cain searches for Jasmine but she has the abortion before he can try to speak to her.

Cain and Sadie damage the King's River Show Home. Sadie refuses to have sex with Cain, infuriating him so he tells Jimmy that Sadie had paid him to trash the house and claims they are having an affair. He and Jimmy plan to set her up. When Sadie confronts him, Cain said he would tell Matthew, that they were having an affair. Sadie hit back by telling Ashley that Cain was sleeping with Jasmine, resulting in the Dingles throwing Cain out and letting Debbie move back in. Cain leaves the village temporarily. The damage caused by Cain to the show house had damaged the gas pipes. Jimmy had them patched up, meaning to do a proper job later. Unfortunately gas built up in a cupboard and when sparked by an automatic light switch, the show house exploded, causing the deaths of Dawn Woods, Noreen Bell and David Brown. Cain and Jimmy feel guilty while Sadie shows no remorse. Feeling the need to be punished for what he'd done, he confessed to murdering his late sister-in-law, Alice, so Samson wouldn't lose both his parent, redeeming Cain within his family including Debbie. Sadie pays for Cain's bail. Upon his release Cain agrees to help Sadie get revenge on Tom and Matthew King. After learning the King's are millionaires, Cain and Sadie plot to kidnap Tom for a large ransom. Sadie believes that nobody will think Cain is capable of murder so they plan to fake her death so Tom will co-operate. Debbie tells Cain that Sadie paid for Jasmine's abortion, leaving Cain furious. After a violent confrontation with Sadie, Cain follows her to the meeting place. As Sadie and Tom discuss the house collapse, Cain kidnaps them. Cain returns to the village and is confronted by Chastity. Cain denie knowledge of Tom and Sadie's disappearance before leaving. The police begin closing in on his hideout, Cain took them to an abandoned factory and switched cars. The police followed him to a quarry where Cain sidetracked them by sending his empty car over a cliff, making everyone think Tom and Sadie were inside. While the police searched the lake, Cain assaulted two policemen and disguised himself in a police uniform. After shooting Sadie, Cain forces Tom to phone Chastity to deliver the ransom. Debbie begs her father to take her with him, even suggesting she get Sarah back but they part in tears. Cain gave some of the ransom to an old lady, asking her to post it to Debbie. Surprised by the woman's honesty Cain realises he wants to change. At the airport, Cain gets into the plane alone, telling Sadie that he didn't want to be the same person he'd always been. Cain leaves Debbie a message on her voicemail, telling her that he had left Sadie, to ignore what others said and that he loves Debbie more than he shows. On Debbie's 18th birthday, he sends her a silver watch.

2009—

In February 2009, Cain attempts to return to support Debbie who is being held on remand for the murder of Shane Doyle but is arrested. Cain hires a lawyer who specialises in self-defence cases to help Debbie, paying him in advance. Cain returns and Debbie tells him that Andy is refusing to allow Debbie access to Sarah. Jimmy King and Carl King demanded their money back before they beat Cain up when he refuses. He supports Debbie through her custody battle, which she eventually wins. Cain begins flirting with Maisie Wylde, whose parents Mark and Natasha take an instant dislike to Cain. After a brief relationship with Maisie, Cain flirts with Faye Lamb.

Cain takes a dislike to Debbie's new boyfriend, Michael. Michael admits that he is getting married to his pregnant fiancee. Cain and Debbie crash the wedding and discover that Michael's fiancée is Charity. Michael calls the wedding off, after discovering that Charity had lied about being pregnant. Debbie invites Charity to stay with her, despite Cain's protests. She and Carl King plan to rob Cain's money. Cain and Debbie catch Charity in the act and refuse to believe her when she said she was replacing it. Cain threw her and Noah out. He gives her the money she had been about to steal before leaving the village. He returns on December 22nd with presents for Debbie and Sarah. He and Charity reconcile on Christmas Day. Charity proposes marriage which Cain accepts. Cain discovers Mark Wylde's wallet in the woods. Mark had been shot and killed by his wife Natasha, which Cain was unaware of. Cain blackmails Natasha and Nathan into paying him to keep quiet about the wallet as he believes there is something sinister behind Mark's disappearance. Sam's dog Alfie digs up the body so Nathan sets up his half-brother, Cain's mechanic Ryan Lamb, for Mark's murder. Mark is charged with murder. Cain tells Maisie he had blackmailed Nathan and Natasha and they had paid him to keep quiet. Cain can't help Ryan without incriminating himself for fraud and blackmail. He attends Ryan's trial and after witnessing Nathans lie in the witness box he decides to take action. After making sure that Sam keeps quiet about the wallet during his witness testimony, Cain kidnaps Nathan. Cain holds him hostage in a disused barn. He threatens to kill Nathan if Ryan is found guilty. Ryan is found guilty of murder but Natasha soon after confesses to the murder.

In April 2011 Cain, on the rebound after Charity makes it clear that she has moved on and their relationship is over, has sex with teenager Amy Wyatt. Cain immediately regrets it and rejects Amy the following day. Amy announces that she is pregnant with his child. Cain threatens Amy into having an abortion but she can't go through with the termination as her pregnancy is too far advanced. Amy decides to keep her pregnancy a secret, lying that she went ahead with the procedure. Cain becomes enemies with the Barton family, after having an affair with Moira Barton and then revealing all to her husband John Barton the following day. Amy later gives birth to their son Kyle alone in the graveyard and believing him to be dead, she panics and places him in the phonebox. Hazel and Cain's stepmother Lisa discover the baby before calling an ambulance. Amy comes forward as his mother, leaving Cain to realise that she had lied to him and not gone through with the abortion.

Cain and Jai Sharma become enemies. When Jai's sister Priya flirts with him, Cain takes this opportunity to get back at Jai. Jai accuses Cain of stealing from his parents house. Jai and Nikhil accuse him of being responsible for a road accident that their father Rishi is involved in. Cain sends Jai a photo of Priya asleep with no clothes on. Cain is later accused of setting up Jai, when he is arrested for assaulting Priya. However, Priya forgives Cain for the photo and they carry on sleeping together until she discovers what he did to Amy. Priya ends her relationship with Cain. Cain is arrested after Jai calls the police because of his threatening behaviour. Cain is later given a caution and manages to push nearly everyone to the limit by insulting each of them. Debbie kicks him out and Cain has a violent showdown with John, Moira and Chas.

After being violent towards Amy, Cain leaves the village. Cain stops when he hears someone behind him. Cain doesn't turn around but threatens to hurt whoever is behind him should they not leave. Cain is hit in the back of his legs,making him fall to the ground before he is brutally beaten by an unknown assiliant. Cameron is on his way home when he spots Cain lying in the road, bleeding from the head, and Jai with Cain's blood on his hands. Jai runs away when Cameron calls for an ambulance.

Reception

At the 2002 British Soap Awards Hordley was nominated for "Sexiest Male" and "Villian of the Year". At the 2007 British Soap Awards Hordley was nominated for "Sexiest Male", "Villian of the Year" and "Best Exit". At the 2009 Inside Soap Awards Hordley was nominated for "Best Bad Boy" while Cain's and Debbie's custody battle for Sarah was nominated for "Best Storyline". At the 2010 British Soap Awards Hordley was nominated for "Sexiest Male" and "Villain Of The Year". For his portrayal of Cain, Hordley was nominated in the category of "Villan of the Year" at the 2011 Inside Soap Awards. Hordley was nominated in the category of "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2012 National Television Awards, for his portrayal of Cain. In a poll to find the "most kissable soap stud" run by dating agency Dating Direct, Hordley came 6th with 1% of the vote. Digital Spy reported that Hordley received a mainly positive reaction for his role. Tom Lister who plays Tom King said Cain is a "great character" adding that it was a "coup to get Jeff back". Lucy Pargeter who plays Chas said commented on Hordley's return saying "I really hope that they get us together and give us a storyline which highlights the strength between them" before adding that Hordley is "amazing and everyone's so excited that he's coming back".

External links

• Cain Dingle at Itv.com
• Cain Dingle at What's on TV