ITV Emmerdale's Piper 'set for dramatic return' - and viewers don’t have to wait long

Emmerdale fans are abuzz with speculation that Piper, the much-loved canine character, might be making a return to the soap after a mysterious absence.

The cherished dog vanished from the Dales some time ago following a devious scheme by Tom King (played by James Chase), who tricked his wife Belle Dingle (portrayed by Eden Taylor-Draper) into believing her pet had perished.

Devotees of the show will remember the harrowing period when Tom subjected Belle to ongoing abuse, culminating in a distressing incident where he struck Piper with his car. In a twisted turn, Tom feigned an attempt to rescue the injured animal, only to later inform Belle that Piper had not survived, despite this being un'true'.

After a poignant memorial for Piper, viewers were privy to a scene where Tom, away from the prying eyes of the village, handed over a very much alive Piper to an unsuspecting couple, deceitfully claiming that the dog's original owner was unkind and that Piper would be better off with them.

As time has passed, Belle remains oblivious to the fact that Piper is still alive. However, recent hints on the show have suggested that Piper's story isn't over yet, reports Leeds Live.

At the Inside Soap Awards earlier this year, The Sun seized the opportunity to ask the real-life owners of the dog who portrays Piper about the possibility of a return to the screen. They teased: "She is alive you never know!" This statement has since sparked fan theories on how Piper could re-enter the storyline.

On an Emmerdale fan page on Facebook, one viewer speculated: "Have a feeling Piper will return for either Emmerdale super soap week or in run up to Christmas as the storyline comes to an end, sooner the better please."

Another person commented: "I'm