Emmerdale’s Tina Dingle made an explosive return on the ITV soap on Thursday night, and soon there was a twist involving Mandy Dingle amid actress Samantha Power’s debut

Emmerdale has teased why Tina Dingle is really back, and it’s linked to Mandy Dingle.

Despite her seemingly being back for her late father Zak Dingle’s funeral, fans are sure there is an ulterior motive for her return. Tina made her comeback after 28 years away on Thursday night, leaving the Dingles and viewers reeling.

In a twist though Tina has been recast, with original actress Jacqueline Pirie replaced by Emmerdale newbie Samantha Power. Samantha’s past roles include Ackley Bridge and Brassic, while she’s also played two roles on Coronation Street.

Now actress Samantha has teased what’s ahead, while fans think they’ve worked it out for themselves. Mandy appeared to crack the case too, after it emerged she and Tina secretly stayed in contact for years.

Mandy and Tina were shown having words during Thursday’s episode, and soon Tina confirmed Mandy had been filling her in on what all the family has been up to for the past 20-odd years.

Despite her not being in contact with them or dad Zak, Tina knew all about her relatives and said Mandy had told her everything. Mandy insisted it was minimal contact, while she had been the one to tell her about Zak.

But a twist came when Mandy stole Tina’s phone, and found lots of images of the family home. Tina was accused of trying to steal the house, and soon she admitted she was hoping to get a valuation from an estate agent. While she soon learned there was a will that she was not mentioned in where the house is concerned, might she try and steal it from her relatives?

As Zak’s grieving family prepared to say farewell, 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 – and soon there was quite a showdown.

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?”

Speaking about what’s ahead, actress Samantha teased scenes with Mandy actress Lisa Riley. She spilled: “I have to say a special shout out to Lisa Riley, the nicest human being! When I met her at the screen test I felt so safe, she couldn’t have been more giving and supportive and encouraging and that continued daily on set! I loved working with her!”

She went on: “There was one specific scene with Lisa where I was face down in a pool of mud. That was extremely memorable and I loved every second of it. There was also a scene which involves an explosion which was so impressive.”

On what’s ahead, she revealed: “Well, she has no filters and she will literally do anything to make sure she gets her way including her claim to the house. She is not one to be trusted! I loved it! She is feisty, bolshy, selfish and she always seems to have an agenda and won’t stop at anything to get what she wants!”

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