In 2023, acting star Steve Halliwell died with the ITV soap paying tribute to legendary character Zak Dingle earlier this year

ITV Emmerdale spoilers tell us how the famous Dingle clan will cope experiencing their first Christmas without Zak Dingle.

Earlier this year, Emmerdale’s favourite family paid a deeply emotional farewell to Zak. This followed the death of actor Steve Halliwell, in 2023, at the age of 77.

Appearing at an Emmerdale press day, Eden Taylor-Draper, 27, who plays Belle Dingle spoke to the media about some of the soap’s festive storylines. Understandably, the Dingles are much more subdued than normal this Christmas season with them ‘scattered around the village’.

Eden said: “It is a different Christmas. The Dingles aren’t heavily featured – it is just Belle and Vinny at home. I can’t remember where everyone is but all the Dingles are off doing things.”

Although, after a terrible year for Belle, which has seen her abused by partner Tom and her dad die, there is a ‘Christmas miracle’. As Emmerdale spoilers show, on Christmas day, when Belle visits her dad’s grave.

She’s overwhelmed with joy when dog Piper, who she believed to be dead, runs over to her, having been found by Vinny and Gabby. Elaborating, Eden said: “She (Belle) obviously can’t believe it is the first without both her parents. That’s why she has the moment outside chatting to her dad when Piper appears.”