Inside Emmerdale legend Steve Halliwell’s health battle and private marriage to wife Valerie

Zak Dingle was the patriarch of the Dingle family for decades, however, the soap legend sadly passed away last December, with his fictional counterpart passing off screen

Steve Halliwell guided the Dingle family through the toughest of times and through huge amounts of joy.

The soap legend joined Emmerdale in 1994 and remained on the show until his passing.

While his TV appearances were far more seldom in his final few years on Emmerdale, the actor will always be remembered as the patriarch of the Dingle clan.

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Steve’s childhood

Steve, or Stephen, was born on 19 March 1946. He grew up in Lancashire, England and was raised by parents Fred and Jenny, alongside older brother Clive.

Before taking on the role of Zak in 1994, the actor worked as an apprentice engineer and different jobs in cotton and paper mills.

He did his dramatic training at Mountview Theatre School and co-founded the Interchange Theatre in his hometown of Bury.

Health

Steve previously dealt with some health issues in his life. In 2018, he took a break for a few months to have a pacemaker fitted due to heart problems.

His character Zak was seen experiencing health issues several times towards the end of his time on the soap, with Cain and Chas getting him a mobility scooter to help him get around.

Steve previously opened up about some personal struggles he experienced.

“There's depression, drinking and having to fight your way out of situations,” he told The Mirror in 2014. “I've lived all those things – and more.”

He explained that he saw similarities between himself and Zak, stating that he believes he was destined to play the role.

“I can see a pattern to me leading to playing Zak. I went on a journey and it seemed to be my destiny to play this man who I understood,” he previously told TV Times magazine.

“Everything the Dingles had been through, I had too – trouble with the police, fighting, being evicted. And if there were any aspects of Zak's life I hadn't lived, I knew people who had.”

Steve was 77 years old when he passed away on 15 December 2023.

A statement from his family at the time 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.”

Steve’s family life

Steve was married to his wife Valerie. The couple allegedly split up in the 90s, but reunited in the 2000s.

The actor was previously married to his childhood sweetheart Susan. They met as teenagers in a dance hall.

Steve had three children, including actress daughter Charlotte. She was born in 1984. Charlotte has followed in her father’s footsteps into the entertainment industry. Outside of her acting, she set up the Interchange Performing Arts in 2017, a drama group.

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