Emmerdale’s Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) has been trying to hold it together since the devastating revelation that his son Nate Robinson (Jurell Carter) had been k!lled and his body disposed of in a nearby river. However, in the latest episode, his facade slipped as he became emotional while caring for granddaughter Sarah Sugden (Katie Hill), who is recovering from a life-altering hysterectomy following a cancer diagnosis. Fans were thrilled that both he and Sarah’s grandmother, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins), were stepping up for Sarah, but worried about what it could mean for his relationship with his wife, Moira Barton (Natalie J Robb).

One viewer penned on X: “Charity stepping in to save Sarah should not, under any circumstances, result in her getting closer to Cain. If Cain and Moira broke up, I would switch off watching Emmerdale. They’re the best couple, and it’d be great to see them go from strength to strength now.” Another admitted they were not ready for the funeral either, penning: “Cain and Sarah’s scenes have been lush recently. Not ready for Nate’s funeral next week and the return of Nate’s mum Cara. #Emmerdale.” Meanwhile, a third simply commented: “Cain and Sarah absolute cuties #emmerdale.”

Cain called on Sarah for help to design a poster for Nate’s upcoming funeral, which will air on July 16. As she showed him her efforts he welled up, telling her: “I still can’t believe he’s gone. It’s like everyone I, everyone I care about, they…”

Just as it appeared he may be about to open up about his heartache, Sarah interjected, telling him: “I’m still here, grampy.”

Both he and Charity having been looking after Sarah as she recovers in the absence of both her parents – her dad Andy Sugden (Kelvin Flethcher) and her mum Debbie Dingle (Charlie Webb), who is Cain and Charity’s daughter.

This has seen the former couple thrust together far more than usual at a time when Cain is already navigating his grief over Nate.

Things aren’t set to get any easier for him next week as his ex, Nate’s mother, Cara (Carryl Thomas), arrives for the funeral.

Meanwhile, Cain’s anger towards Nate’s estranged wife, Tracy Robinson (Amy Walsh), isn’t set to dissipate anytime soon as he continues to blame her for his son’s d3ath.

As those close to Nate struggle to come to terms with his murder his k!ller John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) is acting as a mediator, trying to persuade Tracy to allow the Dingles to attend the funeral.

With so much tension in the air over what has happened John is beginning to feel the pressure but will he be driven to confess?