Is Simo undercover, out for revenge—or could he be Eli Dingle in disguise? All the clues point to a shocking twist

Simo: Mysterious Prisoner or Familiar Face?

Emmerdale viewers are buzzing after Wednesday’s episode (Nov 26), where a daring escape plot at Ray Walters and Celia Daniels’ forced labour farm took a dramatic turn. But while the escape plan itself gripped audiences, it was Simo, one of the captives, who stole the spotlight—sparking wild fan theories about his real identity.

Played by Steven Gidwaney, Simo has mostly kept to the background. But during the latest scenes, he received stolen keys from Bear Wolf and learned Ray and Celia would be away the next day—paving the way for a possible breakout.

Yet fans aren’t just focused on the escape—they’re convinced Simo is hiding more than he’s letting on.

Undercover Cop—or Long-Lost Dingle?

Online speculation is exploding. Some viewers believe Simo is an undercover police officer, planted to expose Ray and Celia’s criminal operation from within. But others are going even further—with one particularly intriguing theory.

Could Simo actually be a recast version of Eli Dingle?

Longtime fans will remember Eli, played by Joseph Gilgun, as the troubled younger brother of Marlon Dingle. Eli was a chaotic but beloved figure in the Dales between 2006 and 2010, entangled in everything from armed robberies to forbidden romances—and even played a role in Alice’s mercy killing.

He left the village under a cloud of shame—but never officially died. Which means… he could return.

And fans are convinced that time has come.

“He looks like Eli Dingle,” one viewer posted.
“I said that last night—it makes sense with the rumours of him coming back to take Ray down,” another chimed in.
A third added, “Could be a recast. Doesn’t he have history with Bear and Cain?”

Could Steven Gidwaney Be the New Eli?

With soap recasts becoming increasingly common—and Steven Gidwaney already proving his dramatic chops—some are now speculating that ITV has secretly brought Eli back under a new face, using the prison camp storyline as the perfect reintroduction.

The timing fits. Eli was always drawn to danger, rebellion, and family. If he learned what Ray and Celia are doing to his Dingle kin—especially Bear—it wouldn’t be out of character for him to go deep undercover, risking everything for revenge and redemption.

And with the Corriedale crossover looming in January 2026, the return of a volatile Dingle like Eli could bring chaos to both villages.