October 12th 2024.
As the residents of Emmerdale go about their daily lives, a sadness lingers in the air. The beloved Dingle family is facing a difficult week as they prepare to say goodbye to their legendary patriarch, Zak Dingle. It's been a year since the beloved actor Steve Halliwell passed away at the age of 77, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.
The Dingle family was everything to Steve, and his alter ego Zak Dingle had been a staple on the show since 1994. His last appearance on screen was in June of last year, and since then Zak had been staying with his granddaughter Debbie in Scotland. But when Cain Dingle receives the news that his father's health is deteriorating, he rushes to be by his side.
Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, revealed in an interview with Metro that his character will receive the sad and shocking news of Zak's death soon after he returns to the village. It's a sudden and unexpected loss for Cain, who had just seen his father that morning. As he struggles to come to terms with the news, he must also face the difficult task of informing the rest of the Dingle family.
The writers have made sure to pay tribute to Steve and his character Zak in the upcoming episodes. Cain will visit each member of the family to deliver the news, and each one will have their own way of coping with the loss. Jeff described filming these scenes as a "nice little piece" and added that "nobody was expecting it."
In a special episode, Cain, Sam, and Belle come together to remember Zak and reflect on the impact he had on their lives. It's a poignant and emotional moment as they each share their own memories and stories. Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, revealed that it was a nostalgic experience for the cast as they had all known Steve for many years, and the script was written by Peter Kerry, who was part of the development team of the Dingles.
Despite the somber tone of the episode, the cast made sure to honor Steve's love for music by incorporating it into the scenes. Lucy Pargeter, who plays Chas Dingle, shared that working with Steve was like being in nursery every day, as he brought a sense of fun and laughter to the set.
James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, fondly recalled some of the more outrageous storylines they had filmed with Steve, such as trying to make money by passing off a crying Elvis doll as a religious figure. And Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle Dingle, described Steve as a "father figure, best friend, standup comedian, and counselor" all rolled into one.
As the cast filmed the funeral scenes, they made sure to keep Steve's spirit alive by having some fun off-camera, just as he would have wanted. Jeff reflected on the experience, saying that there were poignant moments, but they also made sure to have some laughs as well. In the end, it was a fitting tribute to both Steve and his beloved character, Zak Dingle.
The Dingle family may have said their final goodbyes to Zak, but his memory will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and the viewers. As Jeff said, "every day when we are together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or moment." And for that, we will always be grateful.
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