A long-lost Dingle relative is set to make their return to Emmerdale this week – and now Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley has dropped a huge clue as to who fans can expect

Emmerdale actor Jeff Hordley has teased the identity of l the returning Dingle for Zak’s funeral.

Zak actor Steve Halliwell sadly passed away in December last year, aged 77. The actor had played soap legend Zak since 1994 and became a firm-favourite with viewers.

Due to Zak’s death, soap bosses have written in a death storyline. The news of Zak’s death was confirmed this week – leaving the Dingle clan heartbroken.

Due to Zak living up in Scotland, Cain and Sam (James Hooton) headed up to collect his body and bring him home to the village. And later on this week, Zak’s funeral takes place.

However, things take a dramatic turn when a long-lost relative appears at the graveside, shocking the Dingle family. Several of the soap’s stars have dropped hints recently as to who fans could expect to show up on the TV screen.

And ahead of the shock mystery comeback, Jeff has spoken out about their return. On Wednesday (October 15) Cain actor Jeff appeared on Lorraine.

Teasing the long-lost Dingle’s return, Lorraine said: “We shall say, there’s someone that turns up at the funeral, quite unexpectedly, and I think people will be quite surprised by that.”

Jeff replied: “I can tell you, that she is a good friend of some of us in the cast. Zoe Henry has worked with her on stage, William Ash and I have done a play with her. So it was really great to welcome this character to the show, and she is very very good indeed,” he added.

Earlier this month, Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, also dropped a big clue. She told The Sun: “There is going to be someone coming from the past who will have repercussions for Mandy and Paddy and Vinnie especially moving forward.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm