Emmerdale Caleb stars life – out of work, co-star relative and on-set jealousy

Emmerdale has seen a flurry of newcomers signing up to the ITV soap in recent months – but it isn’t often we get to see a whole new Dingle.

Caleb has now been introduced as Cain and Chas Dingle’s brother, who was taken into care as a child and believed his mum Faith to have died when he was a teenager.

Upon finding the truth out about Faith’s real death, Caleb will have to come to terms with Shadrach’s abuse as he attempts to reconnect with his family.

READ MORE: Emmerdale Cathy Hope star’s real life – co-star brother, forced to cry and real age

But what about actor Will Ash, who is stepping into the role? It might be his first rodeo on Emmerdale, but it’s far from his first foray into the acting industry…

Jeff Hordley link

It turns out Will and Cain star Jeff Hordley are already well acquainted with each other, as they both attended the same school.

Jeff explained: “We both went to the same school, North Chadderton Comprehensive in Oldham and had a really inspirational drama teacher called Colin Snell who not only inspired us but the likes of Nicola Stephenson and then went on to another school with Jonas Armstrong and Jenna Coleman."

He and Will – who shot to fame in Waterloo Road – both acted in the play Another Country while at school together, though Jeff was a few years ahead of Will in the sixth form.

Will explained: “For me when I was that age, coming in and seeing all these lads in a play taking acting really seriously, I've never seen that before and it was one of the reasons I ended up going professional. It was quite inspiring."

The pair have even appeared in some of the same shows before, as both Jeff and Will landed roles in both Children’s Ward and Heartbeat in the past.

On-set jealousy

Though things seem to be going well on set so far, Cain star Jeff has admitted that he has reservations about being “replaced” by a younger Dingle.

He admitted to Daily Star: “Initially, I'll be honest, I thought: 'They are bringing in a younger Dingle? What are they doing that for? Are they trying to replace me?' You always get a little bit protective of your character if they bring in someone similar.

“Then when I found out it was Will, I was like, 'Oh, this is great. This is the best thing that could have happened'. I think it feels as if Caleb has been here a long time.”

‘Out of work’ struggles

It hasn’t always been easy in the industry for Will, as he’s had work struggles to contend with.

He was candid in admitting that part of the reason he joined Emmerdale was to make a pay cheque after being “out of work” a lot as an actor.

He confessed: “Not to put anything down, but it's work, isn't it? It's nice to be working.

"You spend a lot of time, as an actor, out of work, and the opportunity to be doing what I like doing every single day is amazing, it’s really good. But the main thing is working with Jeff [Hordley] and the character, because the scripts have been amazing."

Co-star relative

It turns out Will isn’t the only talented one in the family.

The Waterloo Road star is actually second cousin to Coronation Street legend Peter Ash, who plays the loveable rogue Paul Foreman, brother to Gemma Winter.

Will even starred on the ITV cobbles before signing up to Emmerdale, appearing as two different characters – Johnny James in 1987 and Spike in 2002.

Rival soap roles

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Emmerdale isn’t the only time Will has dipped his toe in the waters of Soapland.

As well as starring in Corrie alongside his cousin, he’s had stints in Casualty and Heartbeat.

He’s also appeared in everything from Doctor Who to Shameless.

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