Emmerdale actor Steve Halliwell, who played patriarch Zak for nearly three decades, died in December 2023
Emmerdale legend Zak Dingle’s funeral will air in sad scenes on Thursday evening, with the whole Dingle family gathering to pay their respects – including one shock arrival.
Actor Steve Halliwell, who played patriarch Zak for nearly three decades, sadly died in December 2023, with his co-stars attending his private funeral the following month in January.
He last appeared in Emmerdale on June 27th 2023, during which he was sat on his glitzy mobility scooter as he chatted to Dan, who was working on a car. The sweet funny interaction saw Dan refer to him as Evel Knievel, to which Zak retorted that the potholes were enough, adding: “I’ll give the ring of fire a miss.” Dan then went on to say that he was happy to see him out and about.
Zak received a mobility scooter from Cain and Chas after struggling to walk. His official exit was never aired, but it was later revealed by family members that he had gone to live with Debbie in Aberdeen. Throughout 2023 and 2024, various Dingles went up to Scotland off-screen to visit Zak and Debbie.
Emmerdale confirmed Zak’s death this week after Cain (Jeff Hordley) travelled to Scotland after hearing Zak was struggling with some health issues. He returned this week and told the family Zak had been doing a lot better.
Steve Halliwell’s last scenes aired on June 27th 2023 (Image: ITV)
However, Cain later received a call from Debbie telling him that Zak had died. She relayed to him that Zak had told her that it had been “the best morning ever”. He then sat down in his chair for a nap with a large grin on his face – but never woke up again.
Soap fans were left in tears over the heartbreaking episodes, with one writing: “Jeff Hordley as Cain beautifully and sensitively done, breaking the sad news that Zak Dingle has passed. Rest in peace Steve Halliwell #emmerdale @emmerdale.”
While another commented: “Jeff and co spent the best part of 30 years working with Steve Halliwell some scenes feel like no acting was needed to honour Zak. #Emmerdale.” A third tweeted: “One of many powerful scenes in #Emmerdale as Cain delivers the news of Zak’s passing to Sam and Belle.”
Actor Nick Miles, who plays Jimmy King, also commented on the scenes and wrote: “I don’t do this very often but today’s #Emmerdale is very special as the Dingles confront the news of Zak’s death. Not only a great character but a special friend and colleague. The use of Berlin Song by Ludovico Einaudi went straight to my heart, Steve would have loved it R.I.P..”
The Emmerdale cast have paid tribute to Steve (Image: ITV)
Earlier this month, Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley spoke to the Mirror about filming the scenes at the Inside Soap Awards. After winning Best Family at the awards, she said: “We never take it for granted and we appreciate it even more than ever because we’re doing Steve [Halliwell’s] memorial episode. We really want to put it on the mantelpiece but it’s too posh for the house. But it means the most this year, definitely.”
Opening up about filming the funeral Lisa said: “There’s moments you’ll see when it’s transmitted where you can see sometimes it’s us, it’s our own anguish where we’re missing him so much.”
She continued: “We promised from now on, whether we’re inside of the house or out on the set, we want to talk about him like he was always there, like he’s still there because of his energy. He taught us so much when we were young that we’ve taken and we can pass onto the next generation of Dingles.”
