Emmerdale will celebrate 30 years of the Dingle family by bidding farewell to patriarch Zak Dingle following the death of actor Steve Halliwell. Halliwell, who played the character on the long-running Yorkshire soap opera for nearly three decades, died aged 77 last December.
The Dingle family first appeared on screens in 1994 and have gone on to become the ITV show’s largest family, with multiple generations of known members. In upcoming episodes sets to air next week, the news of Zak’s death is to be delivered to his daughter-in-law Moira Dingle in a phone call from his granddaughter Debbie Dingle while his son Cain Dingle is taking a shower.
Cain will share the news with the Dingle family, reminiscing with his siblings, Sam and Belle, about their father. Villagers will gather on Main Street to bid farewell to Cain and Sam as they head to Scotland to bring Zak home, while the Woolpack pub transforms into a place of mourning.
The family will also come together to honor Zak at the Dingle homestead Wishing Well before holding a funeral, where a long-lost relative will make an unexpected appearance, shocking everyone. Meanwhile, Moira experiences a seizure just before hearing about Zak’s death and learns that an opportunity for surgery has opened up. However, she chooses not to inform her husband, Cain, as he deals with his grief.
Actor Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, said he could not say much about the funeral but that it has “got Dingles written all over it”. He added: “There’s really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed.
“Off camera, Steve would have loved this, as he always enjoyed having a good laugh when the cameras weren’t rolling. We made sure to share some fun moments together. When we gather as a group, we prioritize making filming enjoyable. So, while the mood may have been somber, we ensured that we still had plenty of laughs—something Steve would have wanted.”
Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Zak’s daughter Belle Dingle, remembered Halliwell as the “funniest man ever” as she reflected on working with him over the years. She added: “He was a really weird combination of a father figure, best friend, a stand-up 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 every day when we are together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or moment.”
Lisa Riley, who portrays Mandy Dingle, also shared that Zak’s passion for music is featured in the farewell episode. She remarked, “Zak’s love of music and the sense of nostalgia are all there for the viewers to enjoy.”
Halliwell’s portrayal of Zak Dingle was initially meant to be temporary, but he quickly became a vital character in the long-running series, winning over both viewers and producers. Recognizable by his flat cap, wellies, and wax jacket, the pig farmer was involved in several dramatic storylines, including his divorce from his first wife, Nellie, played by Sandra Gough, and later marrying Lisa, portrayed by Jane Cox.
There was further trouble in paradise when he had an affair and married Joanie Wright, played by Denise Black, before later reuniting with Lisa. The actor said the turbulent storylines were not too far from his own personal life, having had issues with alcohol and his mental health.
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