Jeff Hordley health latest: Emmerdale actor’s chronic condition - the six symptoms

JEFF HORDLY has played character Cain Dingle on Emmerdale for the last 19 years, but soap stardom hasn’t always been easy. Just a few years before becoming a household name on the ITV soap, the actor was diagnosed with a chronic health condition.

By Katrina Turrill, Health Editor based in London, specialising in breaking news, common health conditions, real life stories, and diet and exercise

Jeff Hordley opens up about having Crohn’s disease

Jeff Hordley, 49, has appeared on ITV’s Emmerdale since 2000, playing the role of Cain Dingle. But just a few years before starting on the show, Hordley was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and was scared it would stop his career from taking off. The condition is lifelong and causes parts of the digestive system to become inflamed. Back in 2009, Hordley spoke to Express.co.uk to raise awareness over the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

Jeff Hordley was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and was scared it would stop his career from taking off

When the actor was aged 20 he began to get a lot of stomach pain. Doctors at the time put this down to irritable bowel syndrome.

He revealed: “Even though I tried to avoid foods that upset my digestive system, such as coffee and Chinese takeaways, I was still sick and tired and I kept losing weight.

“I was a drama student in Manchester and sometimes I had to miss lectures because I was too tired. I even had to drop out of my final year plays.”

He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease a month before his 26th birthday after he was referred by his GP to a specialist at Manchester Royal Infirmary.

It was then, the specialist spotted his symptoms immediately.

The NHS lists the main symptoms of Crohn’s disease as:

  • Diarrhoea - which may come on suddenly
  • Stomach aches and cramps - most often in the lower-right part of the tummy
  • Blood in poo
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Weight loss

You may not have all these symptoms.

Jeff Hordley health latest: Emmerdale actor’s chronic condition - the six symptoms

Jeff Hordley health latest: The Emmerdale actor spoke out about his chronic condition in the past (Image: GETTY)

The Emmerdale star experienced diarrhoea, stomach pain, severe tiredness and weight loss.

He said: “Some sufferers may also experience swollen joints, mouth ulcers, inflamed eyes and rashes on their body.”

Hordley became an ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK to help raise awareness for the condition, especially because he also lost his mother to Crohn’s due to complications following surgery.

On the charity’s website he says: “You are not alone if you are suffering from Crohn’s…although sometimes you might feel as if you are.

“There are at least 300,000 people with inflammatory bowel disease in the UK - I’m one of them.

Jeff Hordley health latest: Emmerdale actor’s chronic condition - the six symptoms

Jeff Hordley health latest: The actor was diagnosed with Crohn's disease just before he turned 26 (Image: GETTY)

Jeff Hordley health latest: Emmerdale actor’s chronic condition - the six symptoms

Jeff Hordley health latest: The actor is now an ambassador for Crohn's & Colitis UK (Image: GETTY)

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“I was scared it would stop my acting career from taking off.

“Luckily it didn’t.

“Following surgery, medication and diet control, I’ve been playing the role of Cain Dingle since 2000.

“I know it’s embarrassing to talk about it, but even simple solutions like being near a bathroom at work can make such an improvement - so don’t be afraid to step up and be counted.”

Another soap star who has spoken out about their medical condition is Coronation Street’s Bhavna Limbachia.

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