An emotional week lies ahead in Emmerdale as the residents deal with the loss of Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) – and the return of an old face.
Actor Steve Halliwell died last December. In the soap, his character Zak has been living in Scotland with Debbie (Charley Webb), who recently revealed the beloved face had become quite poorly.
Because of how concerned Debbie was on the phone, Cain (Jeff Hordley) decided to leave the village and make his way up there to see his dad.
Next week, Cain returns home unexpectedly. This puts Moira (Natalie J Robb) in somewhat of a spin, as she gets told about an available operation slot moments before her husband gets back.
As Cain goes for a shower, Moira takes a call from Debbie. When he returns, Moira breaks the news that Zak has died.
It’s then up to Cain to visit each member of the family to reveal the news of Zak’s passing.
‘It comes as a bit of a bolt from the blue, especially seeing as he’s just come back from Scotland that morning, I think, and Zak’s kind of told him to go and, you know, it’ll be fine’, Jeff Hordley explained.
‘And he’s promised him that he won’t do too much, because his doctor said for him to rest, because he’s not been well. I think that’s why it’s so immediate for Cain, and so shocking – it’s like seeing someone in the morning, isn’t it? And then in the afternoon, they’re gone, and he’s trying to process it.
‘It will have been a huge comfort [that he’s not long seen his dad], especially when it’s a sudden death. But if you’ve seen someone just before, then it can make it easier.’
After Cain, Sam (James Hooton) and Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) spend time reminiscing about their dad, the villagers gather on Main Street to wave Sam and Cain off, poignantly leaving for Scotland to bring Zak home.
On the day of the funeral, as the Dingles gather outside, they are completely knocked for six when a long-lost relative appears at the graveside.
‘It’s someone you might know’, Jeff teased.
‘They’re not going to make things go smoothly for the Dingles. Could it be someone back from the dead?’.
You’ll just have to wait and see!
