Emmerdale actor Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle for 30 years until his death in December, left £63k in his will.

Emmerdale actor Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle on the ITV soap for 30 years, died in December aged 77.

Reports now reveal that he left £63,000 in his will, with all proceeds going to his widow Valerie and daughter Charlotte, 40.

According to The Sun, Steve may have earned up to £200,000 a year on Emmerdale, which he starred in from 1994 until his death.

Stars of the soap can earn up to £2,000 per episode and Steve appeared as Zak Dingle in almost 2,500.

Emmerdale has announced plans to bid a poignant farewell to Steve with an on-screen funeral later this year.

Steve Halliwell died in December 2023 aged 77. (Image: Getty)

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper told The Mirror in July: “The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now, and will continue to be so.

“We lost Steve recently, so we’re going to be marking Zak’s passing in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.

“It will be very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and obviously a lot of our viewers who have grown and love Zak for many, many years – but it will be a hugely fitting tribute for a great character.”

In December 2023, Emmerdale released a heartfelt statement mourning the loss of Steve.

Steve Halliwell and Jane Cox as Zak and Lisa Dingle. (Image: ITV)

A spokesperson for the soap said: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.

“All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we’d request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss.

“Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family. Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.”

Adding to the tributes, John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama, said: “Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on.

“To millions of Emmerdale viewers, he was the brawny but crafty Dingle patriarch who led the clan with a strong fist and a warm heart.

“To everyone who worked on Emmerdale, he was a much-loved friend and colleague, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously.”