Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley calls for Charley Webb to return

Emmerdale's Cain Dingle actor Jeff Hordley wants Charley Webb to return as Debbie Dingle, close to two years on from her last appearance.

Speaking to RadioTimes ahead of the ITV soap's half-century celebrations, Hordley was questioned over whether his roguish character had ever frustrated him.

"When his daughter Debbie was dating Jasmine (played by Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman), Cain didn't approve and decided he would get back at her by stealing her girlfriend – looking back now, I don't think he would've done that.

ITV

"He loves Debbie too much to hurt her," he claimed. "But Cain is flawed, so I just have to find the reasons behind what he does. No one gets through to him like Debbie does, and I'd love Charley Webb, who plays her, to come back."

Unfortunately for her co-star, it seems as though Webb has signed off as Debbie for good.

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Back in January, she told her social media followers in a Q&A: "This is always my most asked question but I've never answered it before because I've never wanted to make a big deal of it.

"I left to have Ace [two] years ago. I went back at the end of last year for 10 weeks to complete a storyline. So, I guess officially it's been a year. I never felt the need to announce it which is why we didn't."

ITV

Still, Hordley and Webb remain in contact outside of work, as the pair were snapped together at a house party with fellow Emmerdale stars Emma Atkins, Eden Taylor-Draper and Zoë Henry back in March.

"I will forever love my old work family," Webb wrote as the caption. "My heart feels so full and grateful they came into my life all those years ago. They will last a lifetime."

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, and streams on the ITV Hub.