Emmerdale fans are flabbergasted after Caleb and Nicky's true identities were finally been revealed in a shock twist on Friday night's show.
In last night's dramatic episode of the ITV soap, we saw Leyla's (Roxy Shahidi) stalker revealed to be loveable Home Farm nanny Nicky, played by Lewis Cope. However, the shocking twists didn't end there, it was also revealed that Nicky is actually Caleb’s (Will Ash) son.
We later saw father and son make their way through the Emmerdale graveyard. It was intense as they reached their destination – Frank Tate’s grave and it all became clear that Frank is Caleb’s dad!
Read more: Emmerdale's Nicky star Lewis Cope's life off air - from actor girlfriend to high-end lifestyle
Fans were convinced there was something more than met the eye with newcomer Nicky ever since he arrived as Home Farm's new nanny at Christmas and Caleb has acted shifty since the start. Caleb has caused uproar for the Dingle family since his arrival in the village and now it seems the father and son duo have got a new family on the hit list as their plans to target the Tate family were revealed, The Mirror reports.
We've taken a look at the clues that were dropped along the way that hinted at their connection as it was revealed the pair have been working together all along.
An awkward encounter
It is likely Nicky and Caleb spent a lot of time together off screen, as they hatched their plan.
But on screen, to keep their identities a secret, we rarely saw the pair interact with one another. In fact, they have been in a handful of scenes together despite being on the soaps for the last few months.
In one scene, aired just days ago, there was a hint that they could have known each other, despite never appearing to have any connection whilst in the village. Caleb walked in on Gabby and Nicky kissing in the kitchen, with her immediately pleading with him not to tell Kim about their romance, given that the pair were business partners.
Suddenly, Nicky had a rare outburst and told Caleb: "You're big on trust are you?" as Caleb questioned if he had any information to the contrary. It was then that Nicky immediately backed down and said he didn't know anything, leaving fans suspicious.
A complicated family
When Caleb arrived, we knew very little about him - other than he was Cain and Chas' long lost brother. We knew Faith Dingle was his mum, but he arrived as a "lone wolf" and there was no mention of a family he had left behind.
Actor Will Ash had spoken about the possibility of new characters from Caleb's past arriving in a chat with press ahead of his debut. He had said at the time, when asked if anyone might arrive who knows him: "Possibly. I think so. I don’t know any of this but he might have been married or divorced and have kids. At the moment, he’s come in as a lone wolf but there’s certainly potential.
"It is so great about him there’s a bit of a blank canvas and there’s only so much even I know about him at the moment."
He added: "I think he’s holding quite a lot back." It turns out there is a secret child he's been keeping from Cain and Chas and the rest of the Dingles, but when this all comes to light, what will happen?
A clue in the credits
Nicky's identity has remained a mystery to fans for months, and that's mainly thanks to his shady behaviour and keenness to swoop on a romance with Gabby Thomas - despite not knowing her for very long.
However, a clue in the credits of the ITV soap had left fans convinced all wasn't what it seemed with Nicky.
The show always credit him as Nicky, rather than adding a last name, which is very different from how they usually display new characters. Even those without a connection to the Dales, such as Arthur's school friend and love interest Marshall, had a surname added to the credits - even if it was of no relevance to the soap.
So it makes sense that there was a big secret to Nicky's identity - because after all, if they had put the name Milligan, everyone would have rumbled the secret straight away. Bosses could have used his mother's surname - or maiden name if she was married to Caleb - but would that give away another secret? Is Nicky's mum someone we know?
Tonight in an hour long episode, viewers will learn more about Caleb's real reason for being in the village and his plan to win back his birthright, Home Farm.
As ever, we'll continue to bring you the big Emmerdale news about what is happening in the village and away from it. You can visit our Emmerdale homepage to find the latest gossip about the soap and its stars.
Emmerdale airs weekdays from 7.30pm on ITV1.
Read next:
Emmerdale's Charles actor Kevin Mathurin’s life from surprise career to love life and family
Emmerdale episode moved to new slot in major schedule shake up
- Emmerdale's Rhona star Zoë Henry nearly lost role to co-star's real life wife
-
Emmerdale fans can't contain their excitement as they think Paddy and Mandy will finally get back together
