Emmerdale Zak Dingle’s estranged son Nathan ‘revealed’ – and he’s in Dales already

Emmerdale viewers are convinced that Zak Dingle’s long-lost son Nathan is already in the village – and they think they know who he really is

Emmerdale fans are speculating that Zak Dingle’s unseen son Nathan might already be residing in the village.

The beloved character Zak, portrayed by Steve Halliwell, was recently written out of the soap following the actor’s real-life passing in December 2023 at the age of 77.

Zak first graced our screens in 1994 and as the patriarch of the iconic Dingle clan, he has a complex family history on the ITV soap. Married thrice and father to seven children including Cain (Jeff Hordley), Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper), Tina (Samantha Power), Butch (Paul Loughran), Sam (James Hooton) and Ben (Steve Jackson), Zak also has another son, Nathan.

Nathan, the child of Zak and Nellie Dingle (Sandra Gough), has been mentioned but never seen. First referenced by Tina Dingle (Jacqueline Pirie) in the 1990s and later at Butch’s (Paul Loughran) funeral, it seems Nathan has cut ties with the Dingles, leaving his whereabouts unknown. However, Emmerdale viewers believe they’ve cracked the case, suggesting that Nathan is actually a well-loved resident of the village.

**Zak has a son called Nathan who has never appeared on the soap** (Image: ITV)

“With Zak Dingle no longer with us I think it’s about time Nathan comes to Emmerdale,” one fan suggested on an Emmerdale Facebook page. The sentiment was echoed by others, with one replying: “Yes bring the eldest son of his to the Dales – Nathan would be good.”, reports Leicestershire Live.

Fans of Emmerdale have formulated a theory suggesting that newcomer John Sugden, played by Oliver Farnworth, might actually be Nathan in disguise. One viewer expressed, “I have said all along that John Sugden is really Nathan!” Another concurred, stating, “You could be onto something, John is definitely not who he says he is…” This speculation gained traction when John initiated a romance with Aaron, leading some to wonder if this was all part of his plan.

**Fans think John is really Nathan** (Image: ITV)

A fan mused, “Do you think that’s why he got in a relationship with Aaron all along?” with another agreeing, “Yup, poor Aaron.”

John’s introduction to the show earlier this year, claiming to be Jack Sugden’s long-lost son, quickly raised eyebrows among fans. As he settled into the village, forming a relationship with Aaron Dingle and reconnecting with his supposed family, including sister Victoria, suspicions about his true identity grew.

These doubts intensified when John was involved in covering up Anthony Fox’s murder, further fueling the theory that he might be hiding something, or perhaps, that he is indeed Nathan.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm