What Happened to Emmerdale Lisa Dingle actress after quitting ITV soap
Back in 2019 Emmerdale actress Jane Cox announced that she was quitting the ITV soap, following in the footsteps of her on-screen husband Zak Dingle, played by Steve Halliwell who sadly diєd today
Emmerdale couple Zak and Lisa Dingle had been a huge part of the show for over 20 years before the pair decided to all it quits.
Zak actor Steve Halliwell – whose death was announced today – had been the longest-serving cast-member with 29 years under his belt, while Jane Cox was not far behind after spending 23 years in the Dales.
Fans of the show back in 2019 saw Lisa confess to Charity that she had been diagnosed with a terminal heart condition, amyloidosis, and wanted to her to write the eulogy for her funeral. Soon after, Lisa arrived back in the village from Scotland to break the tragic news to her family including Zak, played by Halliwell, who sadly passed away today (15 DEC). ITV announced that the actor died at the age of 77 surrounded by his loving family.
Lisa Dingle, played by Jane Cox quit Emmerdale in 2019
Zak and Lisa’s turbulent marriage had kept fans gripped for years, with the pair often at the heart of the show’s most dramatic storylines.
After hearing the news of Lisa’s terminal illness, Zak asked Lisa to marry him again but on their wedding day, he went home to find that she had died. Speaking about her decision to leave Emmerdale, actress Jane told the Mirror at the time: “It is completely life-changing. But I decided I wanted to do different things. My mum died a couple of years ago, so it does make you think a lot about the big things in life. As you get older life feels shorter – although of course I’m going to live to 150.”
She added: “It is long, long days and then you don’t have time in the evenings because you have lines to learn for the next day.” After leaving Emmerdale in October 2019, Jane revealed that she had taken up a course in reflexology. And since leaving the Dales, she has studied for an art history degree and also started writing a book.
Steve Halliwell who played Zak Dingle passed away today 15 DEC aged 77
Speaking about a complete change of career, she told Inside Soap: “Well, I wanted to slow down a bit, and I’m currently doing a course in reflexology. I’m available for acting roles, but at the moment I’m just chilling – which is a luxury for me.” And asked by Digital Spy if she would consider signing up for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here or Strictly, she simply said: “No, I wouldn’t do that. I’ve got my own private life, I’m an actor more. I don’t consider myself to be a celebrity in that way.”
Zak Dingle played Lisa’s husband for two decades. And on the back of his passing. his family issued a statement that read: “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.”
They added: “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.” And ITV wrote: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.”
It continued: “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.”
