Emmerdale fans ‘work out’ why Zak Dingle left letter for Lydia in shock love child twist

Emmerdale’s Lydia received a mysterious letter from Zak following his death – now fans have predicted a shock love child twist is on the cards

Emmerdale fans have been left feeling uneasy after ‘rumbling’ the reason Zak Dingle gave Lydia a letter, following his death.

Over in the Dales this week, soap legend Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) died off-screen. In real life, actor Steve sadly passed away in December last year, aged 77.

Due to Steve’s death, soap bosses have written in a death storyline. The news of Zak’s death was confirmed this week – leaving the Dingle clan heartbroken.

As Zak was living in Scotland, Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Sam (James Hooton) headed up to collect his body and bring him home to the village. When they returned, the Dingle clan all headed round to the Wishing Well cottage where they came together amid the heartbreaking death.

**The Dingles gathered together following Zak’s death** (Image: ITV)

While there, Cain revealed that Zak had written a letter to be given to Lydia (Karen Blick), his daughter-in-law. Lydia didn’t open it in front of everyone, and his daughter Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was left confused as to why he gave Lydia a letter and to Lydia and not her – and so were fans.

However, viewers have also predicted a shock twist ahead. Amid speculation that Zak Dingle has a love child, fans think it could actually be Lydia after giving her a letter.

**The soap legend left Lydia a letter** (Image: (Image: ITV))

Lydia joined the show back in 2016 and tied the knot to Sam, Zak’s son, in 2020, becoming an official member of the Dingle family. On an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one person said: “I don’t understand why Lydia got a letter but Belle didn’t ??”

Someone else replied: “Love child maybe.” A third penned: “I really hope not,” along with several sick face emojis. Another person said: “A love child that’s already in the program comes to light and Belle is shocked.”

**Fans have predicted a shock love child twist**

Zak’s funeral scenes are set to air this week. On Wednesday (October 16), Cain actor Jeff an appeared on ITV’s Lorraine, where he teased what fans can expect.

“It was poignant and really well written. A tribute to a dear friend Steve. We did have some laughs as well. He liked to joke on set, so as much as it was poignant when the cameras were rolling, we were telling stories of Steve throughout the week we shot it,” he said.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm