What’s Next for Cain Dingle in Emmerdale? – What the bad boy of the village will do next

It’s been a rough year so far, but things finally seem to be on the up for Cain Dingle in Emmerdale. Cain has been in a dark place ever since cheating on wife Moira in a fling with sister-in-law Ruby last year.

Since then, he’s wrestled with his guilt, managing to pull himself together enough to support Moira through her recovery and subsequent foll0w-up treatment. However, his dark secret came out on Valentine’s Day (how romantic) after a confrontation with Caleb aired his dirty laundry all over the village.

Cain confessed to Moira, who was devastated by his betrayal. While it looked for a while as though their marriage was over, the pair reconciled this week, putting Cain and Moira back on an even keel.

But what’s next for Cain Dingle? His marriage may have been saved, but there’s still much to come for the Dingle hardman…

Concentrate on rebuilding his family… carefully

First things first, Cain will need to start rebuilding his family. While Moira reassured him that he didn’t need to make it up to her – to “just make it work” – Cain will still want to rebuild a foundation of trust.

This includes Matty, who was fuming at the news that Moira had taken back Cain in spite of his betrayal. Cain was patient as Matty lashed out on Thursday, describing him as his son, in spite of all that had gone on.

“That Matty and Cain scene tonight was so lovely, I really need to see them have more of a bond in the coming months,” wrote one viewer.

But does Cain need to watch his back? One fan theory has suggested that Moira might not be quite so forgiving after all.

“Hmmmm I still think she’s up to something,” suggested one fan.

“Cain’s slow as hell. Although I don’t believe Moira for a second,” said another.

Hold a self-pity party after the d.e.a.t.h of Nate

One dark cloud over the horizon is the impending revelation that Nate is d.e.a.d. In the aftermath of the limo crash last month, the soap confirmed that Nate is d.e.a.d – and currently chained up in an icy lake.

With Nate’s d.e.a.t.h sure to come out eventually, Cain won’t take the news well – especially considering how they parted, with Cain beating him up after falsely accusing his son of seducing Moira again.

“Cain is gonna think worse about himself soon. The last time he saw him, he beat him up for something he didn’t do and never got to apologise to him,” one fan pointed out on Reddit.

Will Cain be able to forgive himself for his treatment of Nate?

Tell Steph about Anthony

Between feeling sorry for himself and caring for his sick wife, Cain has also had to contend with a m.u.r.d.e.r cover-up. While John appeared to ease worried minds by showing them where he’d stashed the body (or did he?) Steph is still asking some difficult questions.

And some think that Cain will be the one to spill the beans about her granddad’s true nature.

“I think Cain is going to be the one who tells Steph the truth about Anthony raping her mother and his role her conception,” one fan shared on X.

Emmerdale flash-forwards suggest Cain puts Caleb in hospital… or worse

As their feud escalated last week, Cain issued his brother a chilling threat. This came as he learned Caleb had planned to frame him for Anthony’s m.u.r.d.e.r.

And, with a flash-forward still to play out, fans know that Caleb will find himself flatlining in hospital later this year. Is this a result of Cain making good on his threat?

“I reckon the flash forward of Caleb flatlining in hospital is because he k.i.l.l.e.d Nate, Cain finds out and puts him in a coma,” suggested one fan.

“Is Cain at Nate’s graveside and is that the reason Caleb in hospital? Because Cain found out he k.i.l.l.e.d his son?” another asked, referencing the second flash-forward – which saw Cain looking distraught at a mystery grave.

Cain to leave Emmerdale?

In the run-up to the ice limo crash, many viewers stressed that the fan-favourite Dingle might be leaving the soap. Actor Jeff Hordley didn’t exactly do much to assuage those fears either, saying previously: “I worry all the time! …Not all the time, that’s a little over the top.

He continued: “Every time there’s news of this [exits] it can settle us as a cast because we know the shelf life of characters in not forever on soaps, and it’s down to the producers and writers to steer the ship and take us in the direction they want to take us.”

Cain may have survived the Valentine’s Day cull, but could a surprise exit be on the cards still?