ITV Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley 'saddened' as…

ITV Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley 'saddened' as 'brilliant' co-star's exit 'confirmed' for 50th anniversary

Emmerdale star Jedd Hordley has shared his sadness as his co-star's exit has been 'confirmed' - and it's just a couple of months away. Fans best know the actor for playing grumpy bad boy Cain Dingle in the ITV soap.

But after initially rejecting his mum Faith's attempts to reconcile and put their past to bed, the mechanic has been seen in a different light as he shows his softer side during his mum's terminal cancer diagnosis. And fans were left moved in scenes aired last week as he, Faith and sister Chas reminisced about their childhood with Cain's son Nate.

After getting up to mischief by lagging her way into her stepdaughter's home to take back what she believed was hers with the support of Cain and Nate, back at the farm, Faith reflected on a good day's work as she finally revealed what it was she wanted. And Chas, Cain and Nate were chuffed with the box of memories she’s stolen back, leading to Cain and Chas reminiscing about their childhood as they search through the various belongings.

And Emmerdale fans couldn't help but point out a very rare thing to happen during the family scenes - which was seeing Cain laughing and smiling. It did, however, also lead to fans demanding the storyline was changed so that Faith could survive being diagnosed with secondary cancer, when cancer has spread from where it started to another part of the body.

But that doesn't seem like it will happen and Emmerdale viewers will soon find themselves paying an emotional goodbye to Faith, played by Sally Dexter.

Speaking at a special press event in the Emmerdale village earlier this month, Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, shared his sadness at her impending exit. Commenting on how Cain will be involved in the 50th anniversary month in October, the 52-year-old actor said: "My character is involved in the Faith storyline.

"I'm personally saddened at losing the brilliant Sally Dexter, but it will give us some great stories going forward. I look forward to doing that and that is as much as I know."

Cain has been making progress in his relationship with Faith (ITV)

Speaking alongside Jeff, Jane Hudson, executive producer of Emmerdale, revealed what is to come: "As you're probably aware it's our 50th birthday in October and we thought instead of just celebrating one day, why don't we celebrate the whole month? And that's exactly what we're going to be doing," she told the Manchester Evening News and other press.

"We have got, in true Emmerdale style, every story imaginable. We have got things that are going to make you laugh, make you cry, make you surprised and stunts that are going to rock your world!"

While a storm is set to wreak havoc on the Yorkshire village, Jane did say: "At the start of the month, we will be focusing on our Faith storyline, which is a huge storyline for us at the moment."

Sally will be leaving the soap as Faith (ITV)

But at end of the month, when fans think they can breathe a sigh of relief that the horror natural disaster has come to an end, a whole host of other storylines will begin. Jane said that the Faith Dingle storyline will continue at the start of the month before they enter into their big storm week. "Then, when we get to October, it might be the end of our celebrations but we will be ending that month with a storyline that kicks off a whole new story," Jane said before dropping the bombshell: "And potentially sees one of our characters spending the rest of their life in jail."

Speaking about her own exit storyline, Sally, who returned to the Dales as Faith early last year, said: "I think it is excellent. I haven't read the scripts for her death, but I'm hoping it's as positive as it can be. This isn't just a story about a cancer; it's a wider story about family.

"That great thing about death is the thing that happens before it, that thing called life, and all the love that goes with it. I'd love it if everyone watching had a little bottle of gin, to toast her!"

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