ITV/MPIX/Shutterstock/Comp Emmerdale Insider Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 Eli Dingle in Emmerdale: Relationship with brother Marlon, his troublemaking schemes, and criminal past What's actor Joe Gilgun up to now? Eli Dingle Marlon Dingle Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 Eli Dingle cause trouble in Classic Emmerdale from the moment he arrived. From his relationship with brother Marlon, schemes and criminal past, he packed a lot in to his four years in the Dales. It was clear from the off that Marlon wasn’t fond of his brother, while Zak gave Eli an ultimatum – he needs to keep out of trouble, or he’ll be sent packing! On more than one occasion he was disowned by the Dingles for good. But always managed to worm his way back in. Here’s the lowdown on everything the troublemaking Dingle – the one-time bareknuckle fighting champion of Skipdale – got up to during his years in Emmerdale. Eli helped save people after the King’s River collapse (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Eli’s arrival Eli sauntered into the village on the day of the King’s River show home opening. He immediately pointed out the flaws in the house, claiming there were cracks in the plaster and said he knew what he was talking to thanks to training as a builder when he was in prison. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers But Marlon thought Eli was jealous and he ignored his advice. When the house exploded, Eli helped pull people from the wreckage. Eli and Alice When Alice Dingle wanted to end her life, due to her terminal cancer, Marlon begged Eli to help. He emotionally blackmailed his brother into getting hold of morphine for Alice. But after Alice died, Zak was horrified to find out Eli had given her the drugs. He disowned poor Eli, who had to leave Wishing Well Cottage. When Sam came across his cousin, he was living rough in the woods on the run from some vicious drug dealers. The dealers attacked Marlon in an attempt to track Eli down. Eventually Eli came up with a plan to frame them for an armed robbery at the post office. The plan worked and Eli was welcomed back into the Dingle family. He always had a thing for Debbie (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Trouble making! Eli was wrongly arrested for Tom King’s murder, and he had a flirtation with Kelly Windsor. When Jimmy jilted Kelly at the altar, Eli nicked Debbie’s car for her to use to escape the village. He and Debbie started an on/off relationship and he helped her with some of her money-making schemes, including pretending to be Scott Windsor to help her get a loan for the garage. Eli was jealous of Marlon (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Shooting Marlon! Marlon was disappointed when a local bookmaker wouldn’t pay out and decided to rob it in revenge. He convinced Eli to join him. But when Marlon discovered Eli had brought a gun, he wanted to pull out. He tried to stop Eli and got accidentally shot in the chest! Luckily, Marlon recovered but he was furious with Eli. And the brothers’ relationship completely fell apart when Marlon was hailed a hero and given enough money to buy a house for him and Donna. Eli was jealous and started blackmailing his brother, threatening to tell everyone the robbery was his idea. The pair ended up in a scuffle on top of a multi-storey carpark! The brothers made their peace before Eli left Emmerdale forever (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Eli and the McFarlanes Eli had links to a local crime family, the McFarlanes, through his ex-girlfriend Danielle. She helped the Dingles rescue Aaron from the family after he began working as a drugs courier for them. And Eli was also involved when Jasmine Thomas killed bent cop Shane Doyle – another person working for the McFarlanes – when he tried to rape her. Eli helped cover up the crime, but things got complicated when Ross Kirk – who was having an affair with Donna – was blamed for the murder (by Marlon!). Lots of complications later, and Eli spilled the beans to the police, telling them what really happened, leaving Debbie arrested while Jasmine escaped. Jasmine eventually returned and confessed, leading to Debbie being released. Eli, though, was struggling and ended up back on the streets. Laurel found him and brought him back to the village. Eli thought he brought trouble to his family, but he was welcomed home. He tried to keep things on the straight and narrow, making friends and getting a job at the sweet factory. Eli fell for Olena (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Eli and Olena in Emmerdale But when Eli fell for Olena Petrovich, things got tricky again. Sam Dingle also had feelings for her though it was Eli she loved. When Sam reported Olena to immigration, Eli somehow got the blame. He went on a downward spiral and ended up stealing the cash box from the B&B and knocking Eric Pollard unconscious. Eli decided to leave but he and Marlon had an emotional discussion before he went, chatting about their childhood. Eli’s not been back in the village since 2010. But he was a popular character and many fans have said they’d love to see him back! Joe Gilgun’s first TV role was in Coronation Street (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Who played Eli Dingle in Emmerdale? Eli was played by Joseph Gilgun. Born on March 1984, Joe is 41 years old. Emmerdale was not Joe’s only soap role. He also starred as Jamie Armstrong in Coronation Street. In 2007, Joe was in the film This Is England as kind-hearted skinhead Woody. This was his film acting debut and it went on to win countless accolades including a BAFTS for Best British Film. After being granted time off Emmerdale to film 2009 British crime thriller Harry Brown in 2009, Joe decided the time was right to leave the soap. He made his final appearance on April 30 2010. He went on to star in series three of Misfits as Rudy who could clone himself. Joe then went to America and played the role of drug-addicted vampire Cassidy in Preacher. He was a main cast member for all four seasons of the show. In 2019 he created and starred in Brassic for Sky One. His role as working-class petty criminal Vinnie has become one of his most-loved roles. Joe has been open about the fact he has bipolar disorder. He has said many of the stories in Brassic are based upon his real life. Joseph Gilgun was popular on Emmerdale and now stars in Brassic (Credit: MCPIX/Shutterstock) Fans call for Eli Dingle Emmerdale return as Brassic comes to an end Brassic, which also stars former Corrie actress Michelle Keegan, has now run for six seasons, with the seventh series premiering on Sky on September 25. This will be the last and final season of the popular show. But with Eli Dingle a huge part of Classic Emmerdale currently, he is never far from the minds of fans. So with Brassic coming to an end, now could be the perfect time for an Eli return. At the time of his departure Emmerdale were clear they were up for a future return for Eli. However, Joe has since said he has no plans for a comeback. In a poll run on social media, 60 percent of fans were keen to see Eli make a return. One viewer said: “First Ross Barton, then Joe Tate and now Robert Sugden! Come on non Emmerdale, let’s get Eli Dingle back! Persuade Joseph Gilgun to return some how please!!!” “I’d like to see Scarlett come back and Eli,” shared another. A third agreed: “I’d love it if Eli Dingle returned to the show again.” Theory Eli Dingle is Dylan's long-lost dad in Emmerdale Fans of Emmerdale are convinced that newcomer Dylan could be the secret son of Eli Dingle. As April Windsor becomes further embroiled with her boyfriend and the drugs world, there has been countless suggestions that Dylan already has a connection to the Dingle family. So could the speculation be correct? Dylan is the son of Eli Dingle, Emmerdale fans predict When Dylan first arrived on the scene the predictions began. He has since only mentioned his dad a handful of times, most recently to say he dished out a lot of punches when he was growing up. Eli didn't strike us as the type to hit his kids, given his own start wasn't great, but could he have changed since we last saw him? Writing on social media fans shared their thoughts on who Dylan's family might be. And many have wondered whether his dad could be Marlon's brother. "Not being funny but dylan COULD pass as Eli’s kid…" wrote one fan on X. "The word on the street is Dylan is the son of Eli Dingle," said another. "Interesting theory that Eli is Dylan's Dad," a third agreed, "Be funny if Dylan ended being long lost Dingle," a fourth said. If true, then this could be a very interesting development indeed - making Dylan Marlon's nephew, and April's own cousin. Could Dylan really be a long-lost child of the Dingle clan? Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 By Kerry Barrett Sep 25 2025 Previous Story Next Story
