Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has hinted at further troubles for his character Marlon Dingle if April Windsor returns home safe next week.

Show bosses have confirmed that Marlon and his wife Rhona Goskirk will receive an important update on April in next Monday’s episode (February 3).

PC Swirling arrives in the village to reveal that the missing teenager has finally been found. Marlon and Rhona brace themselves for Swirling to reveal whether April is alive or dead.

A special flashback episode on Tuesday (February 4) then fills in the blanks for viewers, revealing where April has spent the last six weeks and her ultimate fate.

Speaking about the repercussions if April does come back to live in the village, Mark explained: “From research, we know that’s not straightforward. It’s an equally difficult part of the process.

“After going missing, it’s almost like they’re ‘missing in your house’. They’re there, but ‘the old them’ is gone.

“I think the good thing is that it would reunite the family, because they’d all suddenly be at a level playing field with making it work for April – although they’d all be treading on eggshells.

“I think April would be a different person, with different reference points and different attitudes. That difference – and trying to succeed in understanding that difference – would hopefully unite them.”

Asked how Marlon would cope as a father, Mark replied: “I think it’s really difficult. If April were to come back, Marlon is going to be so terrified of losing her again that it would define every conversation. I think it would make anybody more anxious.

“Marlon would think, on some level, that it’s his fault. There’s guilt that he’ll carry with him going forward because he took his eye off the ball. That guilt, when April means so much to him, will be like a cloud around him for quite a while.”

April went missing on Christmas Day after a tough few weeks, which included being kidnapped by Ross Barton’s dangerous enemy Jade, discovering the truth about her mum Donna’s death, and falling out with Marlon over her rebellious behaviour.

Since April disappeared, Marlon has devoted every hour he can to searching for her – with support from his family and the rest of the village.