(James Hooton gets emotional over co-star’s death)
Emmerdale’s James Hooton became emotional as he spoke of co-star Steve Halliwell’s death during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday (10 July).
The actor, who plays Sam Dingle in the ITV soap, spoke with fondness about Steve, who appeared as his on-screen father Zak Dingle between 1994 and 2023.
Steve died in December at the age of 77, after a period of illness.
It has since been announced that his character will be given an on-screen send-off, with James telling the Loose Women panel the cast will film scenes next month that ‘sort of tackle Zak passing away’.
He was audibly emotional, as he continued: ‘Obviously, Steve passed away at the back end of last year, with his funeral early this year.
‘So, I don’t know how much the story unfolds at the moment but I think it’s going to be really respectful passing of a really iconic Emmerdale character.’
When host Christine Lampard suggested the cast must be feeling the impact of Steve’s death, James agreed, adding: ‘Absolutely he was a good friend of mine.’
Following Steve’s death, his family released a statement, which read: ‘He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him. 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.’
Emmerdale also paid tribute to Steve, writing: ‘It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.
‘All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we’d request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss.
‘Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family. Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.’
Zak made his Emmerdale debut in 1994, and featured in countless storylines, including the surprise birth of daughter Belle, the revelation that he was behind the attack on Cain Dingle and the death of his son Butch in a bus crash.
His relationship with on-screen wife Lisa, played by Jane Cox, also became beloved by fans, and the pair won praise for their performances after Lisa was killed off in 2019.
Following Lisa’s death and the Covid-19 pandemic, Zak appeared in a recurring capacity, popping up every now and again, with Steve’s final appearance as the character airing in June last year.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with Emmerdale following weeknights at 7.30pm.
