ITV Emmerdale ‘confirms’ Zak Dingle’s return from beyond the grave in shock Belle twist

Emmerdale icon Zak Dingle’s funeral is taking place soon – but spoilers for next week have appeared to tease a ‘return’ for the Dales legend

Emmerdale has appeared to confirm Zak Dingle’s ‘return’ to the ITV soap in a heartbreaking twist.

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 with grandaughter Debbie (Charley Webb).

However, this week, the village learned that Zak had sadly died. During Monday’s episode (October 14) Moira (Natalie J. Robb) told husband Cain (Jeff Hordley) about his father’s passing.

**Zak Dingle star Steve Halliwell died last year** (Image: ITV)

Cain and Sam (James Hooton) then headed 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.

However, spoilers for next week appear to tease a ‘return’ for soap icon Zak. As fans will recall, Zak’s daughter Belle recently left her husband Tom King (James Chase) after months of abuse. Unfortunately for Belle, things haven’t gone smoothly.

And next week, she ends up getting arrested after confronting Tom, breaking her bail conditions. Back at home, Belle presents outward calm as she secretly fights her demons. However, the next day Lydia is concerned Belle may not be coping.

**Belle’s mental health spirals next week** (Image: ITV)

Soon we realise Belle’s head is full of a cacophony of voices but she is desperate to hear the one true voice of her dad Zak’s calming tones. Could viewers see some sort of return for the character Zak, via flashback or voiceover, to save and help Belle? Later on, Sam and Lydia are startled when they realise the extent of Belle’s mental anguish as they find her at her lowest point.

Despite initially being intended as a temporary character, Zak evolved into one of the most recognisable faces in the village. Steve portrayed Zak on the popular Yorkshire-based soap for nearly 30 years.

Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm