Emmerdale aired a shock return for Zak Dingle’s daughter Tina Dingle on the ITV soap on Thursday, with original actress Jacqueline Pirie replaced by someone new

Tina Dingle made a shock return to Emmerdale on Thursday night, with a brand new face.

Zak Dingle’s funeral saw his estranged daughter, originally played by Jacqueline Pirie, make her comeback after 28 years leaving the Dingle family stunned. After her last appearance in 1996, Tina rejoined the family for Zak’s farewell with a new actress in the role.

Tina has been recast and is now played by Ackley Bridge and Brassic star Samantha Power. As the Dingles gathered to say goodbye, a new face was seen making her way to where Zak was being laid to rest.

As the grieving family prepared to say farewell to soap icon Zak, Tina arrived – while it wasn’t made aware immediately who she was. As she staggered towards the family, she made it clear she was about to cause trouble.

She was heard shouting: “Dear God, this family couldn’t organise its way out of a paper bag.” Chas Dingle then identified her cousin, saying: “The one and only Tina Dingle,” as Belle Dingle replied: “What my sister?”. Tina then told them: “Did you seriously think I wouldn’t come?”

It comes as another Dingle’s return was ruled out prior to the scenes airing. Debbie Dingle’s comeback appeared to be ruled out on Wednesday night, with Charley Webb’s character confirming she would not head back to the village.

Suggestion online had sparked theories of a return for Cain Dingle’s daughter, after a cast list hinted at the twist. She’s been living with her grandfather Zak in Scotland ever since her village exit, and she hasn’t been onscreen for a while now.

Fans wanting a Debbie return will have to wait though it seems, as the character confirmed she would not be attending the service and would not be returning to the village. So it seems Debbie is not the big return airing this week despite speculation.

In a scene on Wednesday night, Cain called his wife Moira Dingle after arriving in Scotland. He shared the news that Debbie would not return home with them.

Moira was heard asking Cain: “So Debbie is not gonna go? No I know it’s her choice.” The call then broke up and Moira ended the phone call, with her relaying the sad information to her son Matty Barton.

As Matty asked: “Is Debbie not coming back for the funeral?” Moira told him: “She’s told Cain that she can’t face it, it has hit her hard.” It followed Debbie’s mother Charity Dingle being concerned for her daughter when she struggled to get in contact with her after learning of Zak’s passing.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.