Jeff Hordley (born 7 March 1970) is an English actor, best known for portraying the role of Cain Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. For his portrayal of Cain, he has been nominated for the British Soap Award for Best Actor at three ceremonies.

Early life

Hordley grew up in Oldham, Greater Manchester where he attended North Chadderton Comprehensive, before he went on to gain a BA (Hons) Theatre Arts (Acting) degree from Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre in 1997.

Career

After making minor appearances in British soap operas, including Coronation Street, Hordley was cast as Cain Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale in 2000. In 2006, he announced his decision to leave the soap in order to pursue other projects; the chance of a return was kept open by the producers. Later that year, he starred in a production of Mother Goose at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. He later played Napoleon in the George Orwell classic Animal Farm at Leeds' West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2008, as well as the role of Mick in Harold Pinter's play The Caretaker, when staged at Bolton's Octagon Theatre in 2009. In 2009, his return to Emmerdale was announced. Since his return, Hordley has been nominated for the British Soap Award for Best Actor three times.

Personal life

In 1996, Hordley was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. He has experienced symptoms since the age of 20 and has been hospitalised three times from his condition. Hordley married Emmerdale co-star Zoë Henry in 2003; they have two children.

Awards and nominations