Emmerdale favourite returns after lengthy absence and it's not good news for Cain Dingle

Emmerdale fans were absolutely thrilled as a familiar face made a welcome return after a considerable absence.

PC Mike Swirling is the local bobby who regularly rubs shoulders with the residents of Emmerdale village, having first graced the popular ITV soap back in 2004.

Some 22 years on, the copper remains a firm fixture in the village, clocking up more than 263 episodes. Yet it had been months since PC Swirling was last seen on screen, until Monday (May 25) finally brought his eagerly anticipated comeback.

In the episode, Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) had his catheter removed following a successful radical prostatectomy to treat aggressive prostate cancer, and quickly sought a return to normality with a pint at the Woolpack.

Brushing aside his brother Caleb Miligan's (Will Ash) pleas to take it easy, he ordered a whiskey chaser and was caught short on his way home, reports the Daily Star.

Cain opted to relieve himself at the roadside, only to find himself promptly arrested by PC Swirling and a colleague for urinating in public and drunk and disorderly conduct.

Seething in his cell, Cain was further wound up when Swirling offered him a pair of sweatpants, and was left fuming upon learning he would be held overnight.

Fans flocked to social media to express their joy at seeing the officer back on the beat. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one delighted viewer wrote: "THE GOAT RETURNS! APPRECIATION POST FOR THE MAN! THE MYTH! THE LEGEND! - PC SWIRLING." Another wrote: "Swirling!!! We are now safe!! Never disappear again." A third viewer commented: "PC SWIRLING!!! IVE MISSED YOU. I hope you enjoyed your time off #Emmerdale."

A fourth social media user posted: "Hello Swirling. You've been missed. #emmerdale." While another declared: "At last for the first time all year, we have a PC Swirling sighting!"

Actor Andy Moore has featured in a host of television productions, including Sky Peals in 2023, Fred and Marv in 2021, The Bill in 2007, The Royal in 2006 and Dream Team in 2002.

He also made a guest appearance on rival ITV soap Coronation Street in 2005, portraying a driver across two episodes. Five years on, he reprised his presence on the cobbles, this time stepping into the role of a photographer.

Emmerdale spoilers reveal that Moira confronts Cain in forthcoming scenes, demanding he explain precisely what led to him ending up in the cells, yet Cain is left speechless.

Filled with shame, will Cain come clean to Moira about the true reason behind his visit to the police station? Cain subsequently finds himself anxious about being far from a toilet while out in public.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 8pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX