Emmerdale's Emma Atkins reckons Charity Tate and Cain Dingle could be in for some time apart.

The couple have long had a fiery relationship, but are currently living together in some semblance of domestic bliss.

But actress Emma thinks soap bosses are preparing to shake up their union.

She said: "From the way they're hinting, I'm getting the feeling that, as much as they love Cain and Charity they're sending us in slightly different directions for the time being."

Emma went on: "As much as Jeff [Hordley, who plays Cain] and I love working together we appreciate that maybe the audience want to see something else now. Maybe that will create the spark again between them.

"Once you put a couple back together again it can often be the case that domesticity sets in and people say 'We want the Cain and Charity we know best' and that's generally when they're off doing their scams and things."

She also suggested that things could get personal between Charity and businessman Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson), for whom she is doing some work.

"Whether that leads to anything on a more personal level, I'm not sure. But I would say watch this space. The way they're playing it's there's certainly going to be conflict between Cain and Jai, I would imagine, which would be really exciting to play.

"I think Cain and Charity are at their best when they're jealous because there's always something to play for. That thing of 'You're on my territory, you're on my patch' - I think that's the best storyline to play really."