Emmerdale viewers think they’ve figured out that the much-loved Dingle character, Debbie Dingle, is set to return to the Yorkshire Dales after nearly three years away.
Charley Webb’s character left the village, which had many fans so upset they threatened to stop watching, after a dramatic storyline involving her relationship with Al Chapman (played by Michael Wildman).
She briefly came back in 2020, but her last episode was in 2021 when Debbie decided she couldn’t live near her tricky mum Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) anymore.
But as the character is still living in Scotland with her Uncle Zak Dingle (the late Steve Halliwell), sharp-eyed fans have spotted some hints that suggest she might be coming back this year.
The biggest clue is that since fans last heard Debbie was living with Zak, many think she’ll likely return to the village for his funeral, reports OK!.
His death hasn’t been announced on-screen yet, but when it is, it’s sure to shock the whole Dingle family.
So, even if Debbie can’t bring herself to go to the funeral, it makes sense that she might show up in a phone call or even a letter.
Another possibility is that she comes back to the village to stay with her family for a while, with Zak’s death giving everyone a bit of a reality check.
Moreover, the recent storyline involving Chas Dingle’s (Lucy Pargeter) breast cancer could pave the way for Debbie’s comeback.
Chas shared the tough news that she carries the BRCA2 gene with her brother Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) last week, encouraging him to get tested in case he is also a carrier.
If his results are positive, it’s likely he’ll inform Debbie about the situation and ask her to do the same, which might also lead her to return for another family discussion.
While there are many unfolding Dingle storylines that could hint at Charley’s return, some fans have also suggested that the mother-of-three’s recent split from husband Matthew Wolfenden could be the trigger that brings her back to the set.
The actor who plays David Metcalfe took a break from the soap in the weeks leading up to Christmas following a devastating disagreement with his character’s son Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant).
David was last seen leaving the village to spend time with his daughter Amber in London, and it’s still unknown whether Matthew will be coming back anytime soon.
Fans will have to wait and see if Debbie Dingle makes her much-anticipated return to the village this year.
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX.