Marlon’s estranged brother Eli Dingle first arrived in Emmerdale on the day of the Kings’ show home opening. He quickly pointed out all of the dangerous flaws in the house, telling them that there were cracks in the plaster – claiming that he knew due to training he’d had in prison.
Thinking Eli was jealous of his success, Marlon ignored his advice – and was horrified when the house duly exploded. Thankfully, Eli was on hand to help, pulling people from the wreckage.
Eli and Alice
When Sam’s wife Alice wanted to end her life due to cancer, Marlon came to Eli for help. He blackmailed his brother into helping him score some morphine, which they used to help Alice. But after she died, Zak was appalled to learn what Eli had done, and disowned Eli.
Living rough in the woods after being kicked out, Eli found himself on the run from a gang of vicious drug dealers. When they attacked Marlon in an attempt to draw Eli out of hiding, Eli devised a plan to frame them for an armed robbery. The plan worked, and the Dingles welcomed Marlon back with open arms.
Eli and his relationships with Debbie and Kelly in Emmerdale
During his time in the Dales, Eli flirted with Kelly Windsor – helping her to escape when Jimmy jilted her at the altar – and was part of an off-again, on-again relationship with Debbie.
Shooting Marlon!
When a local bookie wouldn’t pay up, Marlon decided to rob him as revenge. Convincing Eli to join him in the scheme, he got more than he bargaied for when Eli brought a gun along… and accidentally shot Marlon in the chest.
Thankfully, Marlon survived. However, he was furious with Eli, and their relationship crumbled when Marlon was branded a hero, and given enough money to buy a house. Jealous Eli began blackmailing his brother, threatening to reveal that he’d planned the robbery.
Why did Eli Dingle leave Emmerdale?
Things grew complicated when Eli fell for Olena Petrovich, a girl Sam had also developed feelings for. Feeling spurned, Sam reported Olena to immigration – and it was Eli who got the blame.
Spiralling out of control, he stole cash from the B&B, knocking Eric Pollard unconscious in the scuffle. He eventually decided that it would be best if he left the village – but not before making up with Marlon.
What has Joe Gilgun done since Emmerdale?
Eli left the village since 2010, but fans have long hoped to see him return. This is perhaps unlikely, given the successes star Joe Gilgun has achieved since leaving the soap.
After leaving, he went on to star in the TV series This Is England ’86, ’88 and ’90, where he reprised his role as amiable skinhead Woody. Since then, he has also appeared in the Channel 4 superhero drama Misfits, as vampire Cassidy in the comic book adaptation Preacher, and the popular comedy-drama Brassic.
He has also appeared in a number of films, including 2012’s Lockout, opposite Guy Pearce, and in The Infiltrator with Bryan Cranston.