ITV/Shutterstock Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley: 'How I keep chronic health issue at bay without medication' The Cain Dingle actor has been very open about his health battle Cain Dingle Jeff Hordley Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 Emmerdale favourite Jeff Hordley is acting his socks off as he faces Cain Dingle’s cancer battle, but behind the scenes he also lives with a debilitating health condition that he was diagnosed with in his 20s. At first Jeff thought he would have to give up his dream of becoming an actor. However now he is able to manage the illness without medication by adopting a different lifestyle. Cain is facing cancer in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV) Emmerdale star Jeff Hordley living with crippling health condition Jeff was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when he was 26 years old. However he began experiencing symptoms from the age of 20. As an ambassador for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, Jeff has spoken openly about his experiences with the illness. In 2009, he spoke to Express.co.uk explaining doctors had initially put his symptoms down to irritable bowel syndrome. But as he continued to feel unwell he sought further help. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Symptoms include diarrhoea, stomach aches and cramps, blood in poo, tiredness and weight loss. Although not everyone has all of these. Jeff explained: “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.” Things got worse at it affected his studies. “I was a drama student in Manchester and sometimes I had to miss lectures because I was too tired,” he said.Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your Emmerdale newsIt's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news & schedules to share with our community of loyal readers. Click here and tick TVGuide.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search. “I even had to drop out of my final year plays.” Tragically Jeff also lost his mum to the same disease in 1979 after she suffered post-surgery complications. Jeff had an operation to have part of his bowel removed. He then overhauled his lifestyle by quitting cigarettes and adopting a home-grown diet. Zoe Henry and husband Jeff Hordley live a very healthy lifestyle (Credit: David Fisher/Shutterstock) No medication Jeff and wife Zoe Henry (who plays Rhona Goskirk in Emmerdale) have their own allotment, where they grow a huge range of fresh produce. Speaking on CBBC’s Lockdown Learning series Celebrity Supply Teacher in 2020, Jeff said: “We find that getting our hands in the earth and growing our own fruit and vegetables is a great way to connect with nature. Last year on the Another Day Another Collar podcast, Jeff revealed he was not on any medication for the condition as he is able to manage it ‘holistically’. Host Steve Mann asked if he was still an ambassador for Crohn’s disease and Jeff responded: “Crohn’s; no, I’m not anymore, but I was for years because I’ve had Crohn’s since I was 24, 25, and I’ve now managed to keep it under wraps because of diet.” He explained that he “eats very much seasonally; we eat from our allotment. “So that’s how I’ve managed to do it and exercise and things like that. I’ve managed to avoid any medication, which not every Crohn’s sufferer manages to do, but that’s the way I’ve managed it.” Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 By Carena Crawford 4 Mar 2026, 19:03 Previous Story Next Story
