An Emmerdale legend has announced they will be returning to the village five years after their character was brutally killed off. 

Reece Dinsdale, 66, is a familiar face to soap fans and previously played Vinny Dingle's father, Paul Ashdale. 

The character died in 2021 when Jimmy King drove into a barn, causing a catastrophic explosion that killed Paul, who was inside. 

The actor is also known for his role as Gail Platt's husband, Joe McIntyre, in Coronation Street - a role he occupied until 2010 when his character was killed off after accidentally killing himself while faking his own death. 

Outside of his work as an actor, Reece is known for being one of soap's most hard-working directors and has previously directed both Emmerdale and Coronation Street. 

And while his character will not be returning from the dead, Reece appeared to suggest he would be back on Emmerdale - this time behind the cameras.  

Taking to X to announce his Emmerdale return, the actor wrote: 'Just showed my Producer the four episodes of Emmerdale that I recently shot… and, it appears, I'm still on the payroll!'

The revelation went down a storm with soap fans, with one excitedly writing: 'Fantastic Reece. I'm looking forward to your episodes. Have a good day.'

'The old saying is true - the harder you work, the luckier you get,' a second added.

'Looking forward to seeing your episodes. Has really got good story lines going just now,' a third fan chimed in. 

'Brilliant, hopefully this means you'll get to do more,' someone else said, as another added: 'That's great news Reece and well deserved, you put 100% and more in everything you do [sic].'

'As you should be your directing is superb, wonder what they would say to you coming in as a new character,' someone else concluded. 

Referring to Reece's connections to the Dingle family, another fan pleaded:  'Reece, for God's sake please take care of Bear. Thank you.' 

While the specifics of the actor-turned-director's upcoming episodes are not known, his return to the show comes amid some seriously exciting storylines - as one fan above noted.

Recent exciting storylines include the Sudgen family's return to farming life - after a whopping 20 years. 

In Wednesday's episode, Moira Dingle (Natalie J. Robb) reluctantly sold her beloved Butler's Farm over to the Tate family.  

With Robert and his partner Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) as the new tenant farmers, there are some changes in store. 

Determined to follow in father Jack Sugden's (Clive Hornby) footsteps - and to honour his family legacy - Robert and Aaron reintroduce the dug up old farm sign, renaming Butler's Farm to 'Emmerdale Farm'.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: 'The Sugdens have always been at the centre of our village, having been the original farming family when Emmerdale was first created.

'This return to the farm’s roots is a powerful moment, echoing the early drama that unfolded when Annie Sugden and her sons, Jack and Joe, farmed the land.'

Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.