Emmerdale star says 'he lives on' as Dingles unite to mark death of Zak icon Steve Halliwell

Emmerdale's beloved Dingle family have come together for a special photo after thirty years on screen as they all mark the sad loss of their patriarch Zak Dingle.

The emotional scenes will follow the death of actor Steve Halliwell. The actor, who played the character on the ITV soap for nearly three decades, died aged 77 last December.

The Dingle family first appeared on screens in 1994 and have gone on to become the ITV show’s largest family, with multiple generations of known members.

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In upcoming episodes sets to air next week, the news of Zak’s death is to be delivered to his daughter-in-law Moira Dingle in a phone call from his granddaughter Debbie Dingle while his son Cain Dingle is taking a shower.

Cain will then pass on the announcement to the Dingle family and he will reminisce with his siblings Sam and Belle Dingle about their father. Villagers will gather on Main Street to wave Cain and Sam off as they leave for Scotland to bring Zak home while the Woolpack pub becomes a space for mourning.

The family will also gather to remember Zak at the Dingle homestead Wishing Well before hosting a funeral, where a long-lost relative will turn up, shocking the family.

Before receiving the news about Zak’s death, Moira has a seizure and then learns that an operation slot has become available, but she avoids telling her husband Cain while he is grieving.

Actor Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, said he could not say much about the funeral but that it has “got Dingles written all over it”. He added: "There’s really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed. But off camera as well – and Steve would have enjoyed this, because Steve always liked to have a giggle behind the camera – whilst we weren’t rolling, we made sure we had some laughs as well.

"Because when we do get together as a group, we do make sure that it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just downbeat, we were making sure that we were having a laugh, and Steve wouldn’t have wanted it any other way."

Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Zak’s daughter Belle Dingle, remembered Halliwell as the "funniest man ever" as she reflected on working with him over the years.

She added: "He was a really weird combination of a father figure, best friend, a stand-up comedian and a counsellor. He was everything. It really feels like he lives on because all of us have traits of his; our sense of humour or things we bond over, so every day when we are together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or moment."

Meanwhile, Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, also revealed that Zak’s love of music has been incorporated into the farewell episode. She said: "Zak’s love of music and the nostalgia are all there for the viewers to see."