Emmerdale fans have praised the ITV soap for taking its time with Zak Dingle‘s death storyline following actor Steve Halliwell’s death.
Steve passed away in December 2023, but it is only now, 10 months later, that his character Zak is receiving an on-screen funeral.
Fans of Emmerdale have called this move ‘respectful’ as it’s allowed Steve’s family to grieve first.
Steve Halliwell’s death
Following news of Steve’s death, his family released a statement, which 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. 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.”
The soap also shared a statement, where it said: “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.”
Tributes also poured in from fans and castmates, including Lisa Riley, who spoke for everyone when she said: “That boy from Bury did good.”
Zac’s death in Emmerdale
Steve Halliwell’s last appearance in the soap was in June 2023. One of his final scenes saw him beeping the horn on his mobility scooter as Dan Spencer compared him to Evel Knievel. The character then left the Dales to live with granddaughter Debbie Dingle in Scotland.
Last month, Cain Dingle received news from his daughter Debbie that Zak wasn’t well. Cain subsequently went up to Scotland to help his dad through this period of ill health.
In Monday’s episode (October 14), Cain unexpectedly returned home early. He was in high spirits as he shared with wife Moira that Zak was doing much better. However, things soon took a turn for the worse. Answering a call from Debbie, Moira received the news that Zak had sadly passed away.
Moira told her husband and Tuesday’s episode (October 15) will see Cain break the sad news to the rest of the family ahead of Zak’s funeral later in the week.
Emmerdale fans praise show over sensitivity
The soap confirmed plans to give Zak an on-screen send-off earlier in the year, with Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper saying: “There’ll be a hugely fitting tribute for such an iconic character coming up.”
While some fans have wondered why it’s taken so long to write in Zak’s death, most have been understanding and have branded the wait ‘respectful.’
“Awww… It’s really respectful how they have taken a while to now have Zak pass. He’s a legend,” wrote one fan on X.
On Instagram, another viewer said: “I’m so glad they have now given Zak the recognition after all this time,” with a third fan suggesting Steve’s real life family wouldn’t have wanted to see the funeral on screen so soon after his death. They wrote: “They leave it until the family agrees that they are ready.”
Another fan added: “Which is understandable, losing a loved one is hard especially when they were in a soap opera and his close cast were like family too.”
Read more: Who’s who in the Dingle family tree
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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