Emmerdale’s Debbie Dingle return latest as Moira delivers news ahead of Zak’s funeral

Emmerdale fans had been hoping to see Charley Webb reprise her role as Debbie Dingle for the funeral of her grandfather Zak, but it seems she won’t be returning to the village

Emmerdale has provided an update on the character Debbie Dingle, thwarting fans’ hopes that she would return to the village for the funeral of Zak Dingle (portrayed by Steve Halliwell) after his sudden death.

The Dingles are preparing to bid farewell to their cherished family head, Zak, who passed away unexpectedly at his home in Scotland.

During Monday’s episode (October 14), Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley) was visiting his daughter Debbie (Charley Webb) as well as his father Zak before making his way back to the village.

Cain’s homecoming was soon overshadowed when Moira (Natalie Robb), his wife, took a phone call from Debbie who had informed them about Zak’s death, placing the burden on Cain to tell the family of their patriarch’s demise.

With Debbie being the bearer of such tragic news, speculation had risen among Emmerdale enthusiasts that she might join the family’s mourning and farewell to Zak, reports Leeds Live.

However, on the Wednesday installment of the ITV soap (October 16), which can be streamed on ITVX and will be broadcast on ITV1 at 7.30pm, Moira discounted the possibility of Debbie attending the funeral as she delivered news regarding her step-daughter.

Honouring Zak’s last requests, Cain alongside Sam Dingle (James Hooton) set off to Scotland to recover Zak’s body so he could be laid to rest amongst his kin.

The subject of Debbie’s plans came up while Moira was on a phone chat with Cain.

**Moira broke the news of Zak’s death to Cain** (Image: (Image: ITV))

As she ended the call, her son Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) queried: “Debbie not coming back for the funeral? “.

Moira responded: “She’s told Cain that she can’t face it. She got so close to Zak while he was living there, she wants to remember him in her own way.”

She added: “It’s hit her hard. Only now, Cain’s got to sort everything out, like he’s not got enough on his plate.”

Debbie first graced our screens on Christmas Eve in 2002. However, in 2019, Charley Webb took a break from playing Debbie, only to return for a guest stint which spanned late 2020 to early 2021.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX