Emmerdale to address cost of living crisis with new Dingle family story

Are the Dingles playing a dangerous game?

By Iona Rowan

9 Feb 2023

ITV

Emmerdale spoilers follow.

Emmerdale is set to address the cost of living crisis with a new storyline involving the Dingle family.

In scenes airing next week, the Dingles struggle with the cold weather, but they also worry about their heating bills and are reluctant to warm the cottage up.

Desperate for warmth, Vinny and Belle come up with an idea to syphon some oil from Pollard's oil tank in order to fill up their own.

Although they're nearly caught in the act, the two later toast to a job well done.

Lydia softens her stance on whatever shady business Vinny and Belle are up to with the heating back on, but are the Dingles playing a dangerous game? And will this be the last time they resort to such methods in order to ease their financial worries?

In other Dingle news, Jeff Hordley has called for the soap's writers to take a new approach when it comes to his character Cain.

belle, lydia and sam dingle in emmerdale

ITV

Cain's feud with Al Chapman came to a head last year when his son Kyle murdered him, and Cain took the rap for it.

Now that Cain's out of prison, though, Hordley thinks it's time for the character to take a well-deserved break from the dark stuff.

"I don't think he needs a nemesis all the time! I think it would be nice to not have that for a while, to be honest – but I think they always like to put somebody against Cain," the actor explained.

"I'm quite happy for there to be no nemesis for the time being, because then it makes a life a little bit more simpler!"

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

For more information on organisations and initiatives that can provide help during the cost of living crisis, visit Citizens Advice.