Emmerdale legend confirms clashes between Cain Dingle and Sadie King amid dramatic comeback

Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley has confirmed that Cain Dingle and Sadie King are set to lock horns following Patsy Kensit’s return to the ITV show.

The much-loved villainous character made her long-awaited comeback to the village last week just days after the death of her ex husband Jimmy (Nick Miles), and immediately set about causing havoc, clashing with Jimmy’s grieving wife Nicola after claiming that Jimmy had been living a double life with her for years.

And it looks like Nicola isn’t the only Dales resident in for a clash with Sadie, if Hordley’s recent comments are anything to go by.

Speaking to Radio Times at The National Television Awards 2026 - which saw the actor win the coveted Best Serial Drama Performance prize for his portrayal of Cain during his prostate cancer storyline - the actor was asked whether there are any clashes between Sadie and Cain on the horizon, to which he responded: “I think we've had a few clashes already, but yeah…”

The actor's co-star wife Zoe Henry, who plays Rhona on the soap, interrupted, saying: “No they’ve not aired. You may have shot it, Jeff."

Hordley continued: “Oh, I think it’s coming on isn’t it? Yeah I think it’s in the news anyway. I think I saw something, so yeah. Yes, I think watch the space.”

Speaking in a separate interview at the NTAs about what fans can expect from Cain and Sadie, the actor teased: "It’s great to have her back. She’s a great character, and she was a minx last time, and she’s a minx this time.

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Emmerdale fans will remember that the pair last saw each other in 2006, when they parted on bad terms after their scheme to kidnap Sadie’s former father-in-law Tom King (Kenneth Farrington) and demand a ransom didn’t exactly go to plan.

Cain ultimately double-crossed her, taking all of the ransom money from the Kings and leaving her with nothing, leading to Sadie’s exit.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.

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Authors

Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.