Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley’s huge Zoe Henry decision after surprise rival ITV soap move
The Cain Dingle actor had his fair share of ups and downs when he gave up his regular acting gig around the time his wife Zoe Henry signed up for Coronation Street.
Jeff Hordley admitted he suffered several “knockbacks” when he quit Emmerdale in 2006.
The on-screen actor, who stars alongside his wife Zoe Henry (played Rhona Goskirk) on the Dales drama, made a candid admission as he gave a rare insight into his family life.
It comes after the Cain Dingle actor had decided to leave Emmerdale 18 years ago as the then 36 year old wanted to explore other things before returning to television.
The dad of two, who is now 54, opened up about his acting hiatus and the difficulties navigating the industry at the time.
“It’s about knockbacks. You might have three auditions in a year and only get one of them,” Jeff explained. “The one that got away I could tell you about. The one that got pencilled in. You’ve almost got the job and then the programme doesn’t go out.”
Jeff Hordley and his wife Zoe Henry tied the knot in 2003 (Image: Getty)
He opened up about the audition process and securing acting roles only for the job to disappear suddenly.
Speaking on the Mike Artistik’s Ego Podcast in 2021, the Emmerdale star admitted that he had his fair share of setbacks.
The host asked: “Why was there a gap from 2000 and the time you came on to appear as Cain on Emmerdale?”
Jeff explained: “From 2000 until 2006, I’d only been four years out of drama school. I hadn’t ticked all of the boxes that I wanted to tick. There were a couple of places where I wanted to work in London.
“I wanted to fulfil those things. So for three years, I did that.”
He continued: “But also Zoe looked after our daughter for a few years and had stopped working. We always said whoever got the biggest job – when I left [Emmerdale] – if she got the bigger job then I would look after the children.
“Sure enough that happened.”
Jeff added: “Zoe ended up being in Coronation Street for a year and I stayed back and looked after the kids for about a year as well.”
Zoe returned to the Cobbles in 2007 where she played the role of Casey Carswell. She had previously portrayed Log Thwaite on the Cobbles back in 1998.
Following Jeff’s soap hiatus, he returned as Cain Dingle to Emmerdale in 2009 with his wife returning to the Dales the following year as veterinarian Rhona Goskirk.
Emmerdale continues tonight on ITV at 7.30pm
