July 2nd 2024.
The Dingles are preparing to say goodbye to a dear member of their family, Zak. The passing of TV icon Steve Halliwell marked the end of an era for Emmerdale, and now the show's characters, cast, and fans will have to say a final farewell to the beloved Zak Dingle, who will be killed off in a future episode.
According to a statement from his family, the 77-year-old actor passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. "He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him," the statement read. "He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him."
The family also expressed their gratitude to the staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness during Zak's final days. They shared that Zak did not want sadness, but instead wanted to rejoice in a life well-lived.
Zak, who first appeared on Emmerdale in 1994, quickly became a fan favorite. His hot temper and fierce protectiveness of his family made him a central figure in the chaos of the Dales. His marriage to soulmate Lisa only added to his iconic status, and both Zak and Steve will forever be remembered as key players in soap history.
It is only fitting that the show plans to pay tribute to Zak in a big way, with emotional funeral episodes in the coming months. "The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now and will continue to be so," producer Sophie Roper shared. "We lost Steve recently, the very sad passing of Steve, so we're going to be marking the passing of the iconic Zak Dingle in the coming months with a Dingle funeral."
The news of Steve's passing was met with an outpouring of love and support from the Emmerdale community. In a statement, the show expressed their deep sadness and paid tribute to the actor, saying, "Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale." They also asked for privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Since his last appearance in June, Zak's name has been mentioned multiple times, including when his daughter Belle called him to ask for his blessing for her marriage to Tom King. Belle's storyline, which involves her abusive relationship with Tom, has been shocking and difficult to watch for viewers. The show's producer, Sophie, shared that this plotline will continue to play out in upcoming episodes, including a special episode where Belle and Tom go on a trip to Wales.
Sophie emphasized the importance of telling this story truthfully, as it resonates with many people and sheds light on a real and pressing issue. "It will be difficult drama at moments, but a really important message and a really important story we're keen to continue to tell," she said. "Tom is very much isolating Belle from her family, from her surroundings, from everything that she knows and loves, which is unfortunately a typical trait of abusers."
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