Emmerdale’s Zak Dingle is set to be laid to rest in upcoming episodes, but one member of the Dingle family remains unaware of his passing.
Emmerdale is set to bid farewell to Zak Dingle (portrayed by Steve Halliwell) this week, following the character’s heartbreaking death, which was confirmed in an emotional scene on Monday (October 14). The tragic news left his son Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) with the painful responsibility of informing his siblings and family about their father’s passing.
In a touching montage accompanied by classical music, Cain delivered the sad news to Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Sam (James Hooton), revealing that Zak had passed away at his home in Scotland earlier that day.
The Dingle family is now preparing to lay their patriarch to rest with a funeral in the Dales. However, one member of the family remains unaware of Zak’s death—Tina Dingle.
Jacqueline Pirie, now known as Chadwick, portrayed Tina in the beloved ITV soap from 1994 to 1996, with fans still remembering her character for her clever and conniving nature.
Tina, the daughter of Zak and his wife Nellie Dingle (Sandra Gough), made her first appearance in December 1994. Known for being sharp, bold, and manipulative, she often saw herself as a misfit within the family.
After landing a job at Home Farm under Frank Tate (Norman Bowler), Tina tried to embrace a more glamorous lifestyle. One of her most unforgettable storylines unfolded in 1995 when she announced her engagement to Luke McAllister (Noah Huntley), claiming she was expecting his child, as reported by Leeds Live.
However, the plot took a tragic twist when Luke uncovered the truth—that both the pregnancy and their relationship were part of an elaborate revenge scheme. This dark turn culminated in Luke’s death during a van accident. Tina departed from the village in 1996.
Two years later, Jacqueline returned to TV screens, but this time in Coronation Street. For five years, she portrayed Linda Sykes, quickly becoming a fan-favorite on the Weatherfield soap.
Linda, a factory worker, became known for her tumultuous romance with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), a storyline that captivated viewers until her departure from the show in 2001.
So, what is Jacqueline up to these days?
Originally from Scotland and raised in Birmingham, Jacqueline, now 50, gained recognition on the ITV soap as Tina Dingle.
Currently, she enjoys a more tranquil life as an author. The mother of two is happily married to Simon Chadwick, and they reside in Canada with their children.
Living in Vancouver, the former soap star now authors her books under the name Jacqueline Chadwick and has earned acclaim for her compelling crime novels. So far, she has written three thrillers: In The Still, Briefly Maiden, and Silent Sisters.
Each story follows her ex-pat protagonist, Ali Dalglish, a former forensic psychologist turned housewife who becomes embroiled in murder investigations.
Alongside her writing career, Jacqueline is also a thriving entrepreneur, having founded multiple drama schools, including the Jacqueline Chadwick Academy of Performing Arts.
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