Emmerdale enthusiasts believe they’ve cracked the mystery of Dylan Penders’ biological father as the young lad begins to settle into village life with April Windsor.

As regular viewers of the ITV soap will recall, Dylan (played by Fred Kettle) was introduced at the start of the year while April (portrayed by Amelia Flannigan) was living rough. Upon her return to the Dales, she was closely followed by troubled Dylan, who confessed to battling a drug addiction.

In March, Dylan departed the village to enter a rehab clinic funded by Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), leaving April teary-eyed as she said goodbye to her mate. In July, Dylan made a triumphant return to the village and has since disclosed his ties to drug dealer Ray Walters (Joe Absolom).

Emmerdale
Emmerdale’s Dylan and April are now a couple they recently reunited (Image: ITV)

Since their reunion, it was also revealed that Dylan was the ruffian who got stabbed in the leg with a pitchfork after breaking into Moira Dingle’s (Natalie J Robb) farm.

After tending to the open stab wound, Dylan took up residence in a cricket club that was deserted for the summer until Paddy Kirk (Dominic Brunt) offered him a place to stay at Tenant House, reports Belfast Live.

Paddy and his wife Mandy (Lisa Riley) have gradually warmed to Dylan, who has sparked a romance with his trusted friend April.

Lisa Riley and Dominic Brunt playing Mandy Dingle and Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale
Mandy and Paddy have taken Dylan under their wing (Image: ITV)

In a recent scene, Dylan was tidying Paddy and Mandy’s cottage when he stumbled upon a photo of Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards).

The teenager picked up the photo and gave the image a long look before dusting the frame and setting it down.

However, Emmerdale enthusiasts are speculating that ex-wrestler Bear could be Dylan’s biological father, making him Paddy’s sibling. This theory could shed light on why the vet has been so keen to support the youngster.

One fan took to Facebook and posted: “Why do I feel like Dylan is going to end up being bears son.”

Dylan
Dylan held a photo of Bear in a recent Emmerdale episode (Image: ITV)

Another chimed in: “Now that’s a good shout as he was a ladies man when he was touring with the wrestling, and could well be possible as Paddy didn’t find out until the last few years – they did put a spoiler out saying something about a newcomer being related to someone in the village.”

A third agreed: “I’m going off when he was holding the picture of Bear and talking about him to that something will come of it x.

“Bears son….so Paddy’s brother”, one fan declared, while another concurred: “I agree.”

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX