Emmerdale newcomer Dylan made a return to the village in recent scenes much to the delight of April

Emmerdale fans seem to think newcomer Dylan (played by Fred Kettle) could have another connection to the village – and it’s not April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan).

Dylan was introduced into the soap when April went on the run and started living on the streets. Dylan decided to let April stay in the squat and helped to take care of her until April gave birth to a stillborn baby and was rushed to hospital.

However, after April returned to the village, Dylan rocked up to see her, but his arrival has not been well received by April’s father, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock).

In recent scenes, Dylan relapsed after Marlon set him up, but in a bizarre twist, Marlon offered to pay for Dylan’s rehab so he could get better.

However, since his arrival in the village, fans have been coming up with their own theories about Dylan and who his parents could be. One name that has come up is Tina Dingle (Samantha Power), who unexpectedly left the village last year after Vinny (Bradley Johnson) found out she was his real mother.

One fan wrote on Reddit: “I’m sure we’ve all seen the rumour posts claiming that fans have figured out who Dylan’s secret father is (Why is it always father and not mother?). These are the men that I have seen mentioned: Cain Dingle, Joe Tate, Eli Dingle, Aaron Dingle, Ross Barton.”

The post continued: “Now, I really hope that if Dylan returns as a permanent character, and I really hope that there are plans to bring him and Fred Kettle back, that he’s not connected to any of these characters. But, if he needs to be tied to a character, I think the most interesting parent that Dylan could be given would be Tina Dingle.

“Didn’t they establish that she has some other children? It wouldn’t surprise me that her kid would run away. I’ve been vocal that I think Sam and Lydia should foster Dylan. Sam and Vinny would be Dylan’s closest blood relatives if Tina were Dylan’s mother. Seeing Vinny as Dylan’s big brother could be a great story. Even without her on the show, it would give the character some good family ties that do not seem too forced since Tina has been off-canvas for so long setting up a decent story for when she returns. What is their relationship like? Why did he runaway? Has she tried to find him?”

The fan added: “Now, again, I hope that Dylan has no ties to Emmerdale. That’s my first pick (not that my opinion really matters). I think that’s what would make for the most interesting character development for him, but if I had, was forced, to connect him to someone, I think Tina is the most interesting possibility.”

One fan agreed: “Tina is a good shout not Cain or Aaron or Bob for the love of god, but will he ever return?”

While another added: “It would make more sense if he was one of Tina’s kids.”

Someone else stated: “I think it’s going to be Tina. We all know she’s a s*** mum, so her not reporting her son missing (and pretty much selling the other one to Mandy) makes sense. They did tease that she had other kids. I hope not- both because the village already has too many Dingles, and because I can’t stand Tina.” (sic)

However, one fan quickly disagreed: “Why not just have him be a stand-alone character? Bring in a new family. Why does he have to have ties to anyone in the village? But the Tate’s may be more fitting. If he’s Aaron’s, I personally think that would set the character back…but it’s a soap.”

Another echoed: “I quite agree, why do all new characters have to be related to somebody resident in the village?”

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITVX.