Is Dylan Eli Dingle’s secret son? Emmerdale fans convinced he has a Dingle connection
Does Dylan have family in the Dales?
Fans of Emmerdale are convinced that newcomer Dylan has a secret connection to one notable local family – with a fan theory emerging that he could be the secret son of Eli Dingle. Has April unwittingly unearthed another Dingle?
This week’s episodes saw Dylan arrive in the village after being summoned by April Windsor. Still feeling bad about pal Becca’s d.e.a.t.h and thinking she should help Dylan, she paid him a visit – to dad Marlon’s chagrin.
Dylan’s sticking around
Although they clashed when Marlon attacked Dylan, he saw some sense when the lad visited April the next day. He reluctantly agreed to let Dylan stay, but his suspicions also remained. This came to a head last night, when he accused Dylan of stealing Paddy’s phone.
Thankfully, Dylan managed to clear his name, and Marlon allowed him to stay another night. And, with Dylan seemingly sticking around, fans have started to question what we really know about the youth.
Does he have history with one of the soap’s biggest families?
Dylan is the son of Eli Dingle, Emmerdale fans predict
Writing on social media as this week’s scenes aired, fans shared their thoughts on who Dylan’s family might be. And many have wondered whether his dad could be Marlon’s brother, Eli Dingle.
“Not being funny but dylan COULD pass as eli’s kid…” wrote one fan on X.
“The word on the street is Dylan is the son of Eli Dingle,” said another.
“Interesting theory that Eli is Dylan’s Dad,” a third agreed,
“Be funny if Dylan ended being long lost dingle,” a fourth said.
If true, then this could be a very interesting development indeed – making Dylan Marlon’s nephew, and April’s own cousin. Could Dylan really be a long-lost child of the Dingle clan?
Marlon’s estranged brother Eli Dingle first arrived in Emmerdale on the day of the Kings’ show home opening. He quickly pointed out all of the dangerous flaws in the house, telling them that there were cracks in the plaster – claiming that he knew due to training he’d had in prison.
Thinking Eli was jealous of his success, Marlon ignored his advice – and was horrified when the house duly exploded. Thankfully, Eli was on hand to help, pulling people from the wreckage.
Eli and Alice
When Sam’s wife Alice wanted to end her life due to cancer, Marlon came to Eli for help. He blackmailed his brother into helping him score some morphine, which they used to help Alice. But after she d.i.e.d, Zak was appalled to learn what Eli had done, and disowned Eli.
Living rough in the woods after being kicked out, Eli found himself on the run from a gang of vicious drug dealers. When they attacked Marlon in an attempt to draw Eli out of hiding, Eli devised a plan to frame them for an armed robbery. The plan worked, and the Dingles welcomed Marlon back with open arms.
Eli and his relationships with Debbie and Kelly in Emmerdale
During his time in the Dales, Eli flirted with Kelly Windsor – helping her to escape when Jimmy jilted her at the altar – and was part of an off-again, on-again relationship with Debbie.
Shooting Marlon!
When a local bookie wouldn’t pay up, Marlon decided to rob him as revenge. Convincing Eli to join him in the scheme, he got more than he bargaied for when Eli brought a gun along… and accidentally shot Marlon in the chest.
Thankfully, Marlon survived. However, he was furious with Eli, and their relationship crumbled when Marlon was branded a hero, and given enough money to buy a house. Jealous Eli began blackmailing his brother, threatening to reveal that he’d planned the robbery.
Why did Eli Dingle leave Emmerdale?
Things grew complicated when Eli fell for Olena Petrovich, a girl Sam had also developed feelings for. Feeling spurned, Sam reported Olena to immigration – and it was Eli who got the blame.
Spiralling out of control, he stole cash from the B&B, knocking Eric Pollard unconscious in the scuffle. He eventually decided that it would be best if he left the village – but not before making up with Marlon.
What has Joe Gilgun done since Emmerdale?
Eli left the village since 2010, but fans have long hoped to see him return. This is perhaps unlikely, given the successes star Joe Gilgun has achieved since leaving the soap.
After leaving, he went on to star in the TV series This Is England ’86, ’88 and ’90, where he reprised his role as amiable skinhead Woody. Since then, he has also appeared in the Channel 4 superhero drama Misfits, as vampire Cassidy in the comic book adaptation Preacher, and the popular comedy-drama Brassic.
He has also appeared in a number of films, including 2012’s Lockout, opposite Guy Pearce, and in The Infiltrator with Bryan Cranston.
