Emmerdale confirms touching tribute to Steve Halliwell with Zak Dingle death
The soap will pay tribute to Halliwell as fans will see a funeral take place for Zak.
One of Emmerdale's most iconic characters, Zak Dingle, is set to get a send off and tribute later this year after beloved actor Steve Halliwell died at the end of last year.
Speaking with The Sun and other press, producer Sophie Roper confirmed that the character, who had been seen on the show since 1994, would be laid to rest in the coming months in a funeral service.
Roper said: "The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now and will continue to be so. And as many of you will know, of course, we lost Steve recently... So we're going to be marking Zak's passing, [the] iconic Zak Dingle character, in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.
"[It will be] so very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and, obviously, for a lot of our viewers who have grown and loved Zak for many, many years. But it will be a hugely fitting tribute to such an iconic character coming up."
Halliwell passed away in December 2023, and last appeared on the soap in June of that year.
At the time of his death, John Whiston, managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north, said in a statement: "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."
Read more:
- Emmerdale confirms former Coronation Street star cast as new Sugden arrival
- Emmerdale's Ash Palmisciano reveals Matty's fears as he's outed as transgender in prison
Meanwhile, Halliwell's family said: "He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him. He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.
"We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn't want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived."
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7:30pm on ITV1. Stream on ITVX.
Check out more of our Soaps coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
