October 14th 2024.
As we bid farewell to the beloved Zak Dingle in this week's episode of Emmerdale, we can't help but reflect on actor Steve Halliwell's final scene as him. Steve passed away in December of last year, and his family released a statement at the time saying that he went peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his loved ones. They also mentioned that he was still making them laugh until the very end, and that family was everything to him.
We are grateful to the amazing staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness during his final days. Steve didn't want anyone to be sad, he just wanted to celebrate a life well lived. Due to the fact that Zak had moved to Scotland to live with his daughter Debbie, Steve's final scene as the iconic character was actually broadcasted on June 27, 2023.
In this clip, we see Zak riding his jazzed up mobility scooter and honking the horn, as he catches the attention of Dan Spencer, who is working on a car at the garage. It's a classic Zak move, and Dan even refers to him as Evel Knievel. He jokes about avoiding the ring of fire, and Dan expresses how nice it is to see him out and about. Zak has been a key figure in Emmerdale since his first appearance in 1994 as the head of the Dingle family, and has been involved in some huge storylines over the years.
One of the most memorable moments was when his daughter Belle was born unexpectedly, and then there was the shocking reveal that Zak was behind the attack on his own son, Cain. Zak will always be remembered as an Emmerdale legend. In tonight's episode, Moira receives a call from Debbie, confirming that Zak has passed away. It comes just hours after Cain returns from visiting his dad, and he is devastated when Moira breaks the news to him.
As the hours pass, Cain makes his way around to inform the rest of the family about Zak's passing. The Dingles will certainly go down in Emmerdale history, and the cast have paid tribute to both Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle. They remember him fondly as a funny, warm, and caring person who always brought joy to the set. Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley shares that the best part of filming Zak's funeral episode was that it was a real family affair, with producer Laura and writer Peter Kerry being a part of the Dingle family's journey from the very beginning. Director Jeff Naylor even directed Steve in his first ever episode.
Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, reflects on her time working with Steve and says that he made every day on set feel like a fun day in nursery. Even when the cameras weren't rolling, they would make sure to have a laugh, because that's what Steve would have wanted. James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, shares some hilarious memories of filming with Steve, including a storyline where they tried to convince people that a crying Elvis doll was a religious figure. Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Zak's daughter Belle, remembers Steve as the funniest man ever and says that his presence still lives on in the cast's memories and inside jokes.
As the Dingles reminisce about their father, attention turns to the funeral and preparations are made at the Woolpack for villagers to come and mourn. Meanwhile, Matty wonders why his mom is delaying her operation. On the day of Zak's funeral, a long-lost relative appears, leaving everyone stunned. We can't wait to see how the Dingles say their final goodbyes to Zak and honor his memory.
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