Emmerdale actor Reece Dinsdale, who played Paul Ashdale, is returning to the soap weeks after his character met a grisly end in a barn explosion.
The multi-talented star is back to direct an episode of the soap, which is actually where he first started, before he was offered the role of villainous Paul.
His co star and on-screen girlfriend Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, posted a touching tribute wishing him luck as he gets back behind the camera.
She wrote on Instagram : "She wrote: “Good luck daddy Dins Reece Dinsdale as you start your block directing @ITV @emmerdale tomorrow.
"Everyone’s behind you, and so happy for you. I was just wondering ‘are you bringing your coat?’"
She added: “Still at two metres, I send you a big snuggle of my love and luck.”
Alongside the heartfelt post, she shared a snap of Paul, who looks drastically different since a recent health kick, which he has opened up about on Twitter.
He posted a handsome selfie and wrote alongside it: "Amazing what 10 weeks rest and recuperation (and far fewer crisps) can do for you".
Paul also revealed in an interview that he landed the role of Paul by chance, when he was doing a previous directing stint.
"I was actually directing on Emmerdale when I was asked, right out of the blue, if I would like to play Paul,” he said.
He has also starred in Coronation Street as Joe McIntyre, who drowned in Lake Windermere, along with roles in Taggart and Waterloo Road.
On Wednesday, he paid tribute to his career with a proud tweet, writing: "It only struck me today what an achievement it is to have played a leading role in a drama over the last year and to now be directing on the same show.
"That’s not me blowing my own trumpet... I’m just genuinely taken aback/thankful for what has transpired. Always grateful."
* Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays
