The ITV soap is making sure one of its greatest ever characters is getting a fitting send-off…

Emmerdale is making preparations for the death of one of its biggest characters – with Zak Dingle being laid to rest in the soap in an emotional funeral. The heartbreaking move is necessary because Steve Halliwell, who played him, died himself last year and soap bosses considered it would be a fitting tribute to the actor if Zak was given a send-off too.

Zak, who last appeared on Emmerdale last summer before Steve took a break owing to his bad health, was referenced on air during last night’s episode. Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, announced that he was leaving the village to visit his uncle in Scotland, after receiving a concerning phone call from his daughter Debbie, who lives with Zak.

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper has spoken previously about how the show would deal with Zak’s death – saying the death and funeral storylines are likely to be “very difficult” for all who work on the ITV soap.

She said: “The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now and will continue to be so. As many of you will know, of course, we lost Steve recently and the very sad passing of Steve. So we’re going to be marking Zac’s passing, iconic Zac Dingle character, in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.”

Sophie added: “So it’s very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and obviously for a lot of our viewers who have grown and loved Zac for many, many years. But it will be a hugely fitting tribute to such an iconic character coming up.”

Probate documents released earlier this week revealed that the net value of the star’s estate was £63,030. At the time he wrote his will in November 2019, he was residing at St Helenas Caravan Park in Horsforth, near Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Emmerdale announced the news that Steve had died in a sombre statement saying that he would “forever be synonymous” with the long-running drama.

It read: “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.”