Exclusive: Emmerdale confirms challenging new chapter for Cain Dingle

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper has warned of challenging times ahead for Cain Dingle as his cancer journey continues.

Cain is currently recovering after undergoing surgery, but he's also living in limbo as he knows that he needs further treatment later this year.

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Speaking exclusively to Inside Soap about the popular character's future, Sophie confirmed that there are more emotional scenes on the way.

"Cain has got the next chapter of his treatment to come to terms with – it will be a course of radiotherapy," Sophie explained. "That's going to be really challenging for him because it will really impact his physical wellbeing.

"We've taken Cain on a journey in the last 12 months and he's had to overcome a lot. He's now ready to face this – and he's united in his relationship with Moira."

Earlier this year, Cain started pushing Moira away as he worried about the impact that his prostate cancer would have on their marriage.

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Fortunately, the couple are now on more stable ground as Cain faces further treatment.

"Moira is somebody who's undergone radiotherapy herself, so I think there's a real honesty in their relationship at this point," Sophie continued. "Cain is more open to being upfront and emotional with his wife, but it's been a real journey for Cain to come to that point.

"He's still got a lot to navigate, because there'll be so many weeks and months where he's not going to feel like himself. What's great about that story is that it's just so truthful and it's resonated so well with our audience."

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Last month, Jeff Hordley – who plays Cain – won the Serial Drama Performance prize at the National Television Awards.

"It was wonderful that he was recognised in that way, because he has given everything to this storyline," Sophie told us. "There is a huge subtlety to Jeff's performance. He's a phenomenal talent and we're incredibly lucky to have him at the forefront of our show and driving this story."

Read Sophie Roper's full Emmerdale producer chat in the new issue of Inside Soap magazine, out now.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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