Emmerdale issues health update on Zak Dingle after Steve Halliwell’s death

Emmerdale aired a health update on Zak Dingle this week after soap legend Steve Halliwell’s tragic real-life death was announced last year

Emmerdale has given a long-awaited update on character Zak Dingle after actor Steve Halliwell’s death last year.

Steve was a vital part of the ITV soap for many years but sadly passed away last year. Zak was barely seen in episodes around the time, instead spending time in Scotland with other Dingles.

In the latest episode, it was revealed that Zak had suffered a back injury and so couldn’t make it back for Belle’s wedding. Lisa Dingle was also missing from the big day having died in the programme some time ago.

Fans have been eager to know whether they’d be given an opportunity to say a final farewell to Zak Dingle in the future, as is customary with significant characters when the actor died in real life.

Eden Taylor Draper, who plays Belle, spoke of her thoughts on Steve’s death. She expressed: “He’s obviously such a big part of our lives and it’s lovely because being here, he’s still with us in every single moment.”

Jeff Hordley also extended his condolences during an interview recently: “Sadly we lost Steve Halliwell before Christmas. And that’s been a real blow to us because he’s such an important figure in our show.

“Not just on screen but behind the scenes he was a much-loved man and really influenced us as actors and showed us how to behave and also how to have fun and do the job properly.”

When asked about his top moments, he said: “Just him mentoring me, just mentoring me and teaching me how to be a better actor.”

At the time, ITV made public a statement about Steve’s passing, stating: “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.”

The family also shared a heartfelt message, saying: “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.”