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ITV Emmerdale Zak Dingle actor Steve Halliwell dies surrounded by his family

Emmerdale legend Steve Halliwell, best known for playing Zak Dingle, has died. The much-loved actor passed away “peacefully with his loved o...



Emmerdale legend Steve Halliwell, best known for playing Zak Dingle, has died.


The much-loved actor passed away “peacefully with his loved ones around him” at the age of 77, his family said in a statement. Halliwell made his first appearance on the ITV serial drama in October 1994 and played Dingle patriarch Zak for 29 years making him the show's longest-serving cast member.


His other acting credits included Cracker, Heartbeat and Coronation Street, but Halliwell was best known to soap fans as head of the Dingle clan Zak and the father of Cain, Belle and Sam. Halliwell made his last appearance on the soap in June 2023 for a special week of episodes centred around the Dingles.


In a statement announcing his death to fans today, a spokesperson for ITV said it was 'hard not to smile' when thinking of the star. They said: “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.”

Halliwell leaves behind daughter Charlotte Halliwell, who follwed her dad's footsteps to set up a performing arts academy in Bury. The actor was born in the Manchester town in 1946 and started his career in cotton and paper mills as an apprentice engineer before training at theatres school.


Before his on-screen success, Halliwell was once jailed for two weeks for sleeping rough in an empty government building in London. He spoke openly about his struggles with depression.

Halliwell became a familiar face to millions after landing the role of Zak on Emmerdale in 1994. In 2003, he took a short break from the show for personal reasons, later revealing he had spent time at an alcohol rehabilitation centre. He had a further period away from the show in September 2018, when he had heart surgery and a pacemaker fitted.


Halliwell made a brief return to the soap in June 2023 for the 'Dingle Court' episodes, as the family decided whether to let Caleb back into the fold. At the time of what became Zak's final ever scenes in the Dales, fans began to share their concern for the actor after claiming he looked a shadow of his former self.


Before that Halliwell made another short cameo in 2020 for scenes with Debby Dingle, played by Charley Webb. His on-screen wife Lisa, played by Jane Cox, was killed off the soap in 2019.

Zak's on-screen niece Lisa Riley was one of the first stars to pay tribute to Halliwell today following news of his death.


Taking to Instagram, Lisa said the actor was 'finally at peace.' She wrote: "My dearest Steve….love you so much. You are now finally at peace. Thank you for years of laughter, you were still laughing right up to the end. Adored, loved,respected by us all, a LEGEND in my eyes that’s for sure-we have stories and memories to last for many more years to come. Sleep well Stevie-our prayers of strength go to Charlotte, Val and Angelina at this really difficult time…our extended family. “That boy from Bury did good.”


Former Emmerdale star Kevin Fletcher, who played Andy Sugden, said: “What a man and what a legacy. So many incredible memories. We had some fun. God Bless.”


James Hooton, who played his on-screen son Sam Dingle, paid tribute to the beloved star with a post on X. “A soap icon and a great friend has passed away today. Steve Halliwell was the first person I met when I walked through the door into the Emmerdale studios and we remained friends until the end!” he sweetly shared. “A truly loved character and a strong proud man, RIP Steve you will be sadly missed.”


Michelle Hardwick, who stars as Vanessa, said: "A wonderful man, will be greatly missed. Thinking of his family at this sad time, rest in peace Steve."

Hayley Tamaddon, who played Del Dingle in the soap until 2007, wrote on her Instagram Story: “This is sad news. He was a wonderful man. We had many a giggle together when I was in the show. The Dingles have lost a hero. Sending love and condolences to his family and friends,” she wrote.

Adam Thomas, who played Adam Barton on the soap from 2009 to 2018, was stunned by the news, and wrote a heartbreaking post on his Instagram Story. “Wow, got me this one! What a lovely man. Sleep well.”


John Whiston, managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north, paid tribute to Halliwell and said he was “as wonderful off-screen as on”.


He said: “To millions of Emmerdale viewers he was the brawny but crafty Dingle patriarch who led the clan with a strong fist and a warm heart. To everyone who worked on Emmerdale he was a much-loved friend and colleague, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously.”