Zak Dingle has been a beloved Emmerdale stalwart for nearly 30 years, and in the wake of the sad announcement that actor Steve Halliwell has passed away, we have found his poignant last scene.
Broadcast on June 27, 2023, the scene sees Zak bibbing the horn on his jazzed up mobility scooter – very Zak! – and catching the attention of Dan Spencer (Liam Fox), who is working on a car at the garage.
In a warmly funny interaction, Dan refers to Zak as Evel Knievel, and asks if he’s driven over any buses lately.
As Zak jokes that the potholes on the roads are enough and that he’ll ‘give the ring of fire a miss’, Dan expresses how nice it is to see his neighbour out and about.
Zak has been a key figure in Emmerdale since his first appearance in 1994 as the head of the Dingle family, and has been involved in some huge storylines over the years.
From the surprise birth of daughter Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), to the shock revelation that Zak was behind the attack on Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), Zak will always be remembered as an Emmerdale legend.
Emmerdale released a heartfelt statement announcing the death of the beloved actor earlier today (December 15), saying:
‘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.’
His family added: ‘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.’
Tributes continue to pour in from Steve’s Emmerdale co-stars, with Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley saying: ‘Love you so so much Steve….the laughter lives on’.
