This is the absolutely devastating moment Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) discovers his dad Zak – played by the late Steve Halliwell – has died in Emmerdale.
A few days ago, Cain decided to leave the village for Scotland to see his dad and Debbie (Charley Webb). It was previously known that Zak had been poorly, but Debbie contacted Cain and revealed his health had gotten worse.
Cain left the Dales after being reassured by Mackenzie (Lawrence Robb) that the likes of Moira (Natalie J Robb) and Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) would be well looked after while he’s away.
On Monday, the beloved character returns home early. Prior to him walking through the door, Moira gets a call from the hospital that confirms they have an available slot for her brain tumour surgery.
Once Cain gets home, he heads upstairs for a shower. During this period, Moira takes a call from Debbie, who confirms that Zak has died.
Actor Steve Halliwell died last December (Picture: PA)
Moira learns the news from Debbie (Picture: ITV)
In this new video, we find out the details of Zak’s death. Moira tells her husband that his dad died about an hour ago after going out poaching.
Despite the fact he knew Zak was ill, the news comes as a massive shock to Cain. He listens as Moira relays Debbie’s words, discovering that Zak had the ‘best morning ever’ and nodded off with a smile on his face.
What follows next will be Cain visiting each Dingle family member to tell them about Zak’s passing.
After Cain, Sam (James Hooton) and Belle spend time reminiscing about their dad, the villagers gather on Main Street to wave Sam and Cain off, poignantly leaving for Scotland to bring Zak home.
On the day of the funeral, as the Dingles gather outside, they are completely knocked for six when a long-lost relative appears at the graveside.
But who is it?
‘Sam and Cain go up to Scotland to bring Zak home, and the funeral takes place very soon after. The funeral has got Dingles written all over it’, Jeff Hordley explained.
Emmerdale cast pay tribute to Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle
The Dingle family remember Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle (Picture: ITV)
Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley reflects on filming the funeral episode:
‘There’s really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed. But off camera as well – and Steve would have enjoyed this, because Steve always liked to have a giggle behind the camera – whilst we weren’t rolling, we made sure we had some laughs as well.
‘Because when we do get together as a group, we do make sure that it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just downbeat, we were making sure that we were having a laugh, and Steve wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.’
Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley said:
‘The best part for us, as the Dingle family, was the way that this went through production. From Laura (Shaw), our producer, who’s known us for years, grown up with us, and then Peter Kerry who has written the script, who was part of the development team of the Dingles all those years ago. Finally, Jeff Naylor, our director, directed Steve Halliwell and Zak’s first ever episode! So you’ve got all that thrown in the mix, it’s so nostalgic! So for us, as a family, it was obviously the biggest blessing and we’re so happy that it all happened in this way.’
‘Also, when you think of Steve Halliwell and the character of Zak, you always think of his love of music. So the team has brilliantly incorporated his music into this episode. Zak’s love of music and the nostalgia are all there for the viewers to see.’
Lucy Pargeter aka Chas Dingle:
‘Working with Steve was like the fun of being in nursery every single day. I can’t remember any day that was serious or any day that he ever flew off the handle or was angry about anything. It never felt like a work day with Steve, it was just like having your head teacher in your classroom and they just say ‘let’s all have fun!”’
Sam Dingle star James Hooton:
‘I have so many brilliant memories of Zak. I used to like the really silly, unbelievable stuff that we did back in the 90s. One memory is of a crying Elvis doll that the Dingles tried to convince people was like a crying Mary Magdalene sort of thing. It was a doll that they’d stolen from a second-hand clothes shop and they were using it to make money.
‘Another hilarious story that springs to mind is when they tried to send Butch into orbit, the most unbelievable storyline at that time but we always tried to do it with pathos and believability. It used to make us laugh so much that sometimes it became difficult to get through a scene.’
Belle Dingle star Eden Taylor-Draper reflects:
‘Steve, to me, was the funniest man ever! He was a really weird combination of a father figure, best friend, a standup comedian and a counsellor. He was everything. It really feels like he lives on because all of us have traits of his; our sense of humour or things we bond over, so everyday when we are together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or moment.’
‘That’s all I can tell you, really. If you could say shotgun wedding or shotgun funeral, you’d kind of get a picture of what it’s like…There’s really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed.
‘But off camera as well – and Steve would have enjoyed this, because Steve always liked to have a giggle behind the camera – whilst we weren’t rolling, we made sure we had some laughs as well.
‘Because when we do get together as a group, we do make sure that it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just downbeat, we were making sure that we were having a laugh, and Steve wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.’
