Ben Dingle. The first Dingle to ever appear in the show.
Ben Dingle was a minor character in Emmerdale and appeared in 1 episode, Episode 1893 (9th August 1994). He was the first of the Dingle clan to appear in the show. He tried to run Joe Sugden and Ned Glover over. He got into a fight with Luke McAllister and died in the process. Luke was charged but an autopsy revealed Ben had an underlying heart condition. Ben was played by Steve Fury, whose real name is Steve Jackson.
Biography
Backstory
Benedict Dingle was born on the 18 February 1974 to Zak Dingle and Nellie Dingle.
1994
Yobbo Ben Dingle attended a party in August 1994. Dave Glover recognised him as Ben Dingle. Joe Sugden said he last saw him when he was a kid. Ben caused trouble and got into a fight with Luke McAllister. During the fight, Ben fell down and was unresponsive. He was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead. Luke was accused of manslaughter.
It turned out Ben had an underlying heart condition which cleared Luke.
Ben was buried in Emmerdale Village Cemetery in August 1994.
Legacy
In March 2000 his brother Butch died and was buried in the same grave. Underneat the names and dates the grave says "Dead but always Dingles".
Ben's brother Sam visited Ben's grave in July 2006. Sam's wife Alice Dingle was dying of cancer at the time.
In 2012, Zak had mental health problems and had delusions where he mentioned Ben Dingle. He got some events mixed up when he said "Butch Dingle is dead. Luke McAllister has to pay". Butch died years after Luke did.
Memorable info
Birthday: 18th February 1974
Died: 9th August 1994 (Aged 20)
Full Name: Benedict Dingle
Family
Father Zak Dingle
Mother Nellie Dingle
Siblings Butch Dingle (deceased, after Ben); Nathan Dingle; Sam Dingle; Tina Dingle; Belle Dingle (half, same father. Born after Ben's death), Cain Dingle (half, same father)
Grandfathers Jedediah Dingle, Jimmy Lynch
Grandmothers Peg Dingle, Unknown
Trivia
Ben was the first ever member of the Dingle family to appear in the show, even though he only appeared in 1 episode. Originally the Dingle's were bought in just to appear in a few episodes "to cause some bother in the village" but proved popular with viewers so were made regulars, and the rest is history.
His gravestone says he died 19th August 1994 but this could be a mistake for 9th August.
Appearances
1994