• [Dailystar Icon]
• Showbiz
• Emmerdale

Inside Emmerdale's Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley's real-life health battle

As Emmerdale's Cain Dingle struggles with his health in the ITV soap, Jeff Hordley has been open about his own real-life health battle.

[Cain Dingle rests in a hospital bed]

Cain Dingle is currently fighting prostate cancer on the ITV soap(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale legend Cain Dingle has suffered another devastating setback in his battle with prostate cancer. Following a recent operation to remove the cancer, the mechanic has been left to cope with incontinence and feelings of isolation from his everyday life.

In a dramatic twist on Tuesday (June 16), Cain's consultant delivered the crushing news that, although the surgery was successful, new tests indicate a high likelihood that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Cain and his wife, Moira (Natalie J Robb), were left reeling from the news that he hadn't been given the all-clear and that further treatment would be necessary in the coming months, with a risk of permanent incontinence due to radiotherapy.

As Jeff Hordley delivers a powerful performance as Emmerdale's Cain Dingle, the actor is also dealing with a serious health condition in real life.

The 56-year-old soap star, who first joined the show in March 2000, was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at the age of 26, after initially experiencing symptoms at just 20.

[Jeff Hordley as Cain Dingle in Emmerdale]

Cain Dingle first arrived in Emmerdale in 2000(Image: ITV)

As a former ambassador for Crohn's & Colitis UK, Jeff has spoken candidly about his experience. In a 2009 interview with Express.co.uk, he revealed that doctors initially suspected he had irritable bowel syndrome, but he pushed for further answers as his symptoms persisted and worsened, reports the Express.

Jeff shared: "Even though I tried to avoid foods that upset my digestive system, such as coffee and Chinese takeaways, I was still sick and tired, and I kept losing weight."

According to the NHS, Crohn's disease is a chronic condition where a section of the gut becomes inflamed. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help reduce or manage symptoms.

In an episode of the Another Day Another Collar podcast, Jeff opened up to host Steve Mann about ceasing to take medication for his Crohn's disease, opting instead to use his diet to manage symptoms.

Jeff explained: "Crohn's; no, I'm not anymore, but I was for years because I've had Crohn's since I was 24, 25, and I've now managed to keep it under wraps because of diet.

[The TRIC Awards 2023 - Arrivals]

Jeff Hordley was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1996(Image: Getty)

"Certainly, like you were saying about, we eat very much seasonally; we eat from our allotment, from definitely June through to now.

"So that's how I've managed to do it and exercise and things like that. I've managed to avoid any medication, which not every Crohn's sufferer manages to do, but that's the way I've managed it."

Jeff recently revealed how his storyline in the soap inspired him to undergo a real-life Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.

Speaking with the Daily Express and other media outlets at an Emmerdale press event, he explained: "I think it's about us seeing through someone going through the journey of waiting, the 'what ifs?' over the side effects of surgery, and the things that men have to go through in these situations.

"You know, and getting yourself tested. I'm 56, and I've been for a PSA test already because of this storyline. There's other people in the company of a similar age to me who've gone, 'I'm going to the doctors to get a PSA test'.

Jeff Hordley is married to an Emmerdale co-star

Back in the summer of 2005, Jeff tied the knot with Zoe Henry, who portrays Rhona Goskirk on the ITV soap, at the historic Hedingham Castle, near Sudbury, East Anglia, followed by a reception at the posh Swan Hotel in Lavenham.

Reports suggest that several Emmerdale stars graced the ceremony, including Charity Dingel star Emma Atkins, and Charley Webb, who played Debbie Dingle.

The couple later welcomed their daughter Violet Ava, in 2005, and son Stan, in 2008. To assist them during the early stages of parenthood, Emmerdale chiefs ensured Cain and Rhona's storylines were filmed at different times, enabling them to split childcare responsibilities.

In a past chat with Lorraine, Zoe disclosed: "We often do line learning together. This time, Jeff's been amazing. He's just taking the weight of what's going on at home.

"Obviously, we've got two kids, two dogs, we've got an allotment and he's just managing all of that. He's about to get busy as I sort of quieten down so we'll swap the baton then."

[The British Soap Awards 2025 - Arrivals]

Jeff Hordley is married to Emmerdale co-star Zoe Henry(Image: Getty)

Zoe and Jeff met at drama school and quickly formed a tight-knit bond. "We got together at drama school. We've been together 28 years," Zoe disclosed to Lorraine in 2022.

She further added: "With the connection on set, we were together for 10 years before that as well. We got together in 1994, I believe."

Jeff has also previously opened up about his initial meeting with Zoe, confessing it was love at first sight. He shared with Soaplife magazine in 2011: "We met at drama school in 1994. I saw Zoe and realised she was the girl for me. I made moves and, fortunately, she said yes on that occasion too."

As their relationship blossomed, Jeff popped the question to Zoe right after her Best Actress in a Leading Role win at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards in 2002.

He revealed to the MEN: "I had been planning to propose for a some time and thought to myself: 'If she wins today, I'll do it today'. When she won, I leaped out of my seat in front of her.

"Then it dawned on me that her winning meant that I had to propose - and that's when the nerves set in. Fortunately for me, she said yes."

Emmerdale broadcasts weekdays on ITV and ITVX.

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.