Emmerdale’s Mandy Dingle is left furious with her husband Paddy tonight – as he desperately tries to keep her out of the Bear Wolf cover-up. Mandy is blissfully unaware of the chaos that’s been unfolding in her absence, and it seems it’ll be staying that way for the time being.

The ITV soap is exploring a dark storyline for Paddy, who’s attempting to conceal his father’s guilt in the Ray Walters murder mystery. With Paddy and his teenage co-conspirator Dylan Penders so preoccupied with the messy situation, they don’t want Mandy anywhere near the village.

In tonight’s episode, Mandy catches up with Paddy in another video call and suggests making an early return so that she can help with the supposed “search for Bear”. Paddy and Dylan are currently pretending that they’re still looking for Bear, who they have hidden away in a cottage.

Mandy travelled off to Ireland to stay with family late last year, as show bosses needed to explain Lisa Riley’s real-life absence while she competed on the ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

Horrified by the prospect of Mandy turning up earlier than planned, Paddy firmly says no.

“Thanks very much, Pad,” a hurt Mandy replies. “I know exactly what you mean. You made yourself very clear. Look, I was only trying to help.”

When Paddy slyly suggests that Mandy’s loud personality would only make things worse, she replies: “Well, don’t you worry. I’m not going to scare your dad away, right? I’m gonna stay here, where I’m appreciated.”

Paddy’s dismayed as Mandy hangs up – it’s clear that his lies and deceit are now affecting his marriage too…

Over the weekend, Lisa took to social media to reveal exactly when Mandy will be back – and we still have a few weeks left to wait.

“Yes, I’ve read all your messages that Paddy & Dylan @dominicbrunt & @Fred_Kettle are in a lot of trouble in @emmerdale,” she wrote.

“We film far in advance – yes I’ve been back filming since 15th Dec. Mandy Dingle will be back Week 3 in Feb. keep watching for endless drama. love to you all.”