As Zak Dingle dies in Emmerdale this week, we’ve been taking a look at actor Steve Halliwell’s final scene as him.
Steve died last December. ‘He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him,’ a statement released from his family read at the time. ‘He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.
‘We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn’t want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived.’
Due to the fact Zak moved to Scotland to live with Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb), Steve’s final scene as the beloved character was actually broadcasted on June 27, 2023.
The clip sees Zak bibbing the horn on his jazzed up mobility scooter – very Zak! – and catching the attention of Dan Spencer (Liam Fox), who is working on a car at the garage.
In a warmly funny interaction, Dan refers to Zak as Evel Knievel, and asks if he’s driven over any buses lately.
As Zak jokes that the potholes on the roads are enough and that he’ll ‘give the ring of fire a miss’, Dan expresses how nice it is to see his neighbour out and about.
Zak has been a key figure in Emmerdale since his first appearance in 1994 as the head of the Dingle family, and has been involved in some huge storylines over the years.
From the surprise birth of daughter Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), to the shock revelation that Zak was behind the attack on Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Zak will always be remembered as an Emmerdale legend.
In tonight’s episode of the ITV soap, Moira (Natalie J Robb) will receive a call from Debbie, who confirms that Zak has died.
The news will come just hours after Cain returns from visiting his dad, who is understandably devastated when Moira breaks the news to him.
As the hours tick by, Cain makes his way around the family to inform them about Zak’s passing.
After Cain, Sam (James Hooton) and Belle spend time reminiscing about their father, attention then turns to Sam and Cain leaving for Scotland to collect Zak’s body.
While Chas (Lucy Pargeter) sets the Woolpack up as a place for the villagers to mourn, Matty (Ash Palmisciano) finds his mum and wonders why she’s choosing to delay her operation.
On the day of Zak’s funeral, as the Dingles and fellow residents say their goodbyes, a long-lost relative appears at the graveside, leaving everyone stunned.
