Emmerdale legend Cain Dingle received a prostate cancer diagnosis in emotional scenes this week

This week, Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle, portrayed by Jeff Hordley, received a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis – but how old is the character?

Fans of the ITV soap will recall that Cain was shot in last month’s Corriedale crossover. During his subsequent hospital stay, doctors discovered an abnormality in one of his tests, prompting further investigation through a biopsy.

On Wednesday, 4th February, Cain returned to the hospital to receive his test results, where the doctor delivered the unfortunate news – Cain has aggressive, yet localised, prostate cancer. The medical professional recommended a radical prostatectomy and outlined the potential side effects.

Initially, Cain found it difficult to come to terms with his diagnosis, reacting angrily towards his loved ones. However, he later chose to share his situation with his granddaughter, Sarah Sugden (played by Katie Hill), who herself has faced multiple cancer diagnoses, reports the Daily Star.

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In the episode aired on Friday, 6th February, now available for streaming on ITVX, Cain confided in his close friend and local GP, Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson).

Discussing his treatment options, Liam reassured him: “Once you’ve had the surgery, people recover from this grade group and type of cancer all the time… The scariest bit is going to be letting us support you.”

Later, Cain paid a visit to his wife Moira (Natalie J Robb), who is currently incarcerated after being falsely accused of the murders of Celia Daniels (Jaye Griffiths) and Anya Berisha (Alia Al-Shabibi). Upon seeing Moira sporting a black eye, Cain was visibly shaken and chose not to disclose the full extent of his own predicament.

Cain confessed to having cancer but downplayed its severity, describing it as “tiny” and not requiring treatment.

“They’re just going to monitor it, that’s all… Moira, it’s not serious, I promise,” he reassured her, with Moira responding: “Oh thank god, that’s a relief. It’s one less thing for us to worry about.”

Sarah later tried to convince her grandad to be honest with Moira, saying: “Come on, you’ve seen me go through this. Cancer’s hardly something you squeeze into your work break.” Cain then admitted that his main focus was securing Moira’s release from prison.

As Cain’s cancer storyline unfolds, viewers might be curious about the character’s actual age. Born on 30th November 1974, Cain is currently 51 years old, while actor Jeff Hordley is 55.

The revelation of Cain’s diagnosis has stirred strong emotions among Emmerdale fans. One viewer shared their feelings on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m a mess… completely broken… tears and snot everywhere… this Cain and cancer story is destroying me.”

Another viewer confessed: “Been a long time since Emmerdale made me cry, but this Cain storyline is getting to me,” while another fan admitted: “I’m a blubbering mess. People moan about silly storylines in soaps and how they’re all doom and gloom, but if Cain’s diagnosis can save just one man’s life, then that’s got to be a good thing.”