Emmerdale has confirmed a Dingle long-lost relative is making a shock appearance at Zak’s funeral next week – and now fans have ‘figured it’ exactly who it is
Emmerdale fans have ‘rumbled’ the mystery Dingle member who is returning for Zak’s funeral.
Zak actor Steve Halliwell sadly passed away in December last year, aged 77. The actor had played soap legend Zak since 1994 and became a firm favourite with viewers.
Due to Zak’s death, soap bosses have written in a death storyline. Over in the Dales, Zak has been mentioned in recent months, as the character is living away in Scotland.
Recently though, the Dingles have been informed that Zak is unwell, and last month, son Cain (Jeff Hordley) left the village to visit him. But next week, Cain returns – and is later informed of Zak’s death.
The death rocks the family, and the village – with Cain and Sam (James Hooton) then heading off to Scotland, to bring Zak home for the final time
Later on in the week, the funeral takes place – and a long-lost relative appears at the graveside, shocking the Dingle family.
Several of the soap’s stars have dropped hints recently as to who fans could expect to show up on the TV screen. Last week, Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, dropped a big clue.
She told The Sun: “There is going to be someone coming from the past who will have repercussions for Mandy and Paddy and Vinnie especially moving forward.” And Cain actor Jeff recently teased: “It’s someone you might know. They’re not going to make things go smoothly for the Dingles.
But now, fans have ‘worked out’ which Dingle is heading back – and it seems they are not too impressed. Rushing over to an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, a viewer said: “Who do you think the person is that return for zaks funeral? Someone from the past apparently.”
Fans soon flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts, with several claiming it could be Mandy’s mum Vera-Lynn. One person said: “Mandy’s mum maybe? She’s meant to have died when Mandy was young but that may not be the case.”
Someone else added: “I was thinking this. It’s a long-lost relative of the dingles. Someone who could have repercussions for Paddy Mandy and Vinny. I hope not, it would be a let down” A third penned: “I’ve been saying this for ages but I really don’t want it to be her. Why was she mentioned randomly the other month? Hmmm.”
Caleb Dingle was married to a woman called Vera-Lynn, and she is Mandy’s mum. Mandy’s mum Vera-Lynn has never been seen on screen, and in the past, fans have been told that Mandy’s mum died when she was a child. However, after Mandy got married to Paddy (Dominic Brunt) in August, Vera-Lynn was mentioned, revealing that she was actually alive.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
