Emmerdale aired a brief exit for two fan favourites on the ITV soap on Tuesday night, as news of a sudden and sad death left one family, and viewers, grief stricken

Emmerdale aired devastating scenes that left viewers in tears on Tuesday night, as news of Zak Dingle’s death spread around the village.

Belle Dingle, Sam Dingle and Cain Dingle were left in pieces, as they found out their beloved father had passed away. Soon the rest of the Dingles and then the village found out, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

All of the Dingle family rallied around each other, as they remembered Zak. As they sobbed, two of them decided to leave the village briefly to bring their father home.

Zak was staying in Scotland with his granddaughter Debbie Dingle, with Cain visiting him recently. But just days after seeing him, Cain learned from daughter Debbie that Zak had died.

Cain and is brother Sam decided to go to Scotland to be there for Debbie and see their father. They wanted to bring him home to the Dales, with his funeral airing later this week.

As residents gathered to pay their respects, Belle and the family were inundated with cards, flowers and well wishes. As the episode ended, Sam and Cain said their goodbyes and headed on their way.

Emmerdale aired a brief exit for two fan favourites on the ITV soap on Tuesday night (Image: ITV)

Ahead of a return on the ITV soap this week, with a familiar face set to arrive for the funeral, fans were left emotional as the latest episode paid tribute to Zak. Actor Steve Halliwell, who played Zak for 30 years, passed away last December leaving the cast devastated.

As Cain broke the news on Tuesday night, there were multiple scenes of different family members finding out. Most of the scenes were silent with emotional music playing in the background

The episode left viewers in floods of tears, as they too grieved for Zak after decades on screen. Seeing the family struggle with the news, one viewer posted on social media: “I’m crying like a baby.”

Another viewer said: “Watching tonight’s @emmerdale oh my god so emotional I can’t stop crying. I didn’t know this was coming.” A third viewer commented about the episode: “Emmerdale is so sad !! Rip Zack Dingle!!”

A fourth viewer wrote: “So so sad. Well @emmerdale had me in tears. RIP Zachary dingle.” A further comment read: “The moment where the family discover Zak’s death is heartbreaking.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.