Emmerdale legend hints at major 'first' and addresses Sam and Lydia 'split'

Emmerdale's James Hooton has teased a soap "first" for his character Sam Dingle.

The actor has played the fan favourite since 1995 and has been at the centre of some of the ITV serial drama's most gripping storylines over the past 29 years.

Viewers are used to seeing Sam being pushed around by his brother Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) but he will finally get his own back in upcoming scenes as the siblings have a physical showdown in front of their fellow villagers.

The pair come to blows as Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) remains behind bars accused of stabbing Samson Dingle (Sam Hall) but fans know this isn't the case.

With his family fighting tooth and nail for his release, Matty has been living in fear, avoiding showers and staying locked in his cell as Samson continues to lie about what actually happened.

Speaking about the upcoming Dingle feud, James said: "Cain always seems to have his own best interest at heart and I think Sam realises that and he actually ends up standing up to Cain, which is a bit of a first.

"Sam gives Cain a lift hook in the Woolpack and knocks him to the floor. The shoe is on the other foot so I suppose it’s quite nice he got a comeuppance.

"It's pretty much a one off more than the start of some strange bare knuckle fighting storyline for Sam. He’s just dipping his toe in mild violence before going back to his normal self."

However, fans shouldn't expect the pair to be squaring up to each again in the near future. James added: "The amount of fallouts we've had, it’ll eventually be water under the bridge."

Sam and Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) are poles apart as Sam is wanting son Samson to do a flit and escape justice whilst Lydia is unhappy Samson is wanting to evade the law.

Lydia intercepts Samson's secret rendezvous with Sam and implores Samson to head to the police station where he ultimately confesses to the truth of the "stabbing" leaving Sam furious at Lydia, but will it spark the end of their marriage?

James explained: "He feels initially betrayed by the fact Lydia has made him do the right thing which is confess that things aren't what they were originally told and words are said.

"Sam says something along the lines of 'I'll never forgive you for this' but essentially it's all water under the bride as soon as Sam manages to get his brain into gear and he realises she has made Samson do the right thing in the long run.

"Sam is only about the short term in the mind for his son not to end up in jail and Sam many years ago did the same thing and ran away from taking responsibility for his actions so he sees it as a way to do things but essentially he realises Lydia has got this covered and got Samson to do the right thing and I think they will be fine over time."

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm