ITV Emmerdale fans in tears at Zak Dingle’s absence from wedding after actor’s death
Emmerdale fans were left in tears tonight at the mention of Zak Dingle, with his absence from Belle Dingle's wedding tomorrow explained after Steve Halliwell's sad death
Emmerdale fans were in tears tonight as Zak Dingle’s absence from Belle’s wedding was explained.
Zak Dingle was played on the ITV soap for several years by Steve Halliwell, but tragically he died at the end of last year at the age of 77. His first appearance in the soap was back in October 1994 and he played Dingle patriarch Zak for 29 years making him the show’s longest-serving cast member, but sadly he passed away just a few months back.
As Belle prepares to marry Tom King, Zak would have no doubt have been there but sadly Belle got the news tonight that he wouldn’t be able to make it, leaving her devastated by his absence from her big day.
Tom and Belle will say ‘I do’ this week
Fans took to Twitter to share their sadness at Zak’s absence following Steve’s death. One wrote alongside a string of crying emojis: “Zak #Emmerdale,” as a second added: “I thought they’d have used the wedding to write Zak out of it #emmerdale.” A third shared: “They could of came up with something else Zak wouldn’t miss her wedding because of that #Emmerdale.”
At the time of his death, a spokesperson for ITV said of Steve’s legacy: “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.”
In another statement, his family shared: “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,” as they paid tribute to their much-loved relative.
Belle is set to marry Tom in some big scenes this week but will the wedding go without a hitch, or – with the Dingles involved – is something going to go horribly wrong? There is also a heartbreaking storyline ahead for Belle as Tom shows his true colours, but will she manage to save herself from his controlling ways before it’s too late?