ITV Emmerdale offers health update on Zak Dingle after Steve Halliwell’s death as co-star speaks out

Emmerdale issued a health update on Zak Dingle this evening after Steve Halliwell’s death.

Steve had played Zak on the ITV soap for decades, but sadly he passed away last year. Zak had barely appeared on screen for several months prior to that, but his character has been spending time in Scotland with the other Dingles.

Tonight, it was confirmed he had a back injury and thus was unable to make it back for Belle’s wedding. Lisa Dingle was also absent from the day, having died a few years back in the ITV soap.

Many had been wondering if fans would get a chance to say goodbye to Zak Dingle in the coming weeks and months like the soaps tend to do with huge characters when the real life actor passes away.

Belle actress Eden Taylor Draper recently spoke out about Steve’s passing. She said: “He’s obviously such a big part of our lives and it’s lovely because being here, he’s still with us in every single moment.”

Jeff Hordley also paid tribute to Steve in a recent interview, sharing: “Sadly we lost Steve Halliwell before Christmas. And that’s been a real blow to us because he’s such an important figure in our show. Not just on screen but behind the scenes he was a much-loved man and really influenced us as actors and showed us how to behave and also how to have fun and do the job properly.”

Asked about his favourite memories, he added: “Just him mentoring me, just mentoring me and teaching me how to be a better actor.”

ITV issued a statement at the time to confirm Steve’s passing. 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.”

The family also posted a statement, adding: “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.”