This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of Emmerdale, which airs tonight on ITV1 or can be streamed now on ITVX.
The legendary Zak Dingle has arrived back in Emmerdale ahead of his funeral tomorrow.
Emotions were running high in the village, as family and friends prepared to say goodbye to a much-loved resident – even Kim Tate (Claire King) managed to shed a tear, and she’s never been a fan of the rowdy clan!
It’s without a doubt that the grief we’re seen on-screen right now comes from the heart, as the cast are not only saying goodbye to fictional Zak, but also actor Steve Halliwell who passed away last year.
News first reached the area earlier in the week, when Cain (Jeff Hordley) arrived back from Scotland where Zak has been living with his daughter Debbie (Charley Webb).
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With Cain back at home, he jumped in the shower whilst wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) took the bad news over the phone.
He then had the difficult job of visiting everyone to inform them of Zak’s passing.
In today’s episode, Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Marlon (Mark Charnock) wondered when they would hear news about the funeral plans.
Little did they know, on the other side of the village, Cain and brother Sam (James Hooton) had travelled across the border to make arrangements.
They were surprised to hear that their dad wanted burying within 48 hours of his death, so had to transport his body back to Yorkshire in the back of the trusty (and rusty) old 1987 Renault Trafic van.
Emmerdale cast pay tribute to Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle
Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley reflects on filming the funeral episode:
‘There’s really poignant moments in it. And whilst we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed. But off camera as well – and Steve would have enjoyed this, because Steve always liked to have a giggle behind the camera – whilst we weren’t rolling, we made sure we had some laughs as well.
‘Because when we do get together as a group, we do make sure that it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just downbeat, we were making sure that we were having a laugh, and Steve wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.’
Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley said:
‘The best part for us, as the Dingle family, was the way that this went through production. From Laura (Shaw), our producer, who’s known us for years, grown up with us, and then Peter Kerry who has written the script, who was part of the development team of the Dingles all those years ago. Finally, Jeff Naylor, our director, directed Steve Halliwell and Zak’s first ever episode! So you’ve got all that thrown in the mix, it’s so nostalgic! So for us, as a family, it was obviously the biggest blessing and we’re so happy that it all happened in this way.’
‘Also, when you think of Steve Halliwell and the character of Zak, you always think of his love of music. So the team has brilliantly incorporated his music into this episode. Zak’s love of music and the nostalgia are all there for the viewers to see.’
Lucy Pargeter aka Chas Dingle:
‘Working with Steve was like the fun of being in nursery every single day. I can’t remember any day that was serious or any day that he ever flew off the handle or was angry about anything. It never felt like a work day with Steve, it was just like having your head teacher in your classroom and they just say ‘let’s all have fun!”’
Sam Dingle star James Hooton:
‘I have so many brilliant memories of Zak. I used to like the really silly, unbelievable stuff that we did back in the 90s. One memory is of a crying Elvis doll that the Dingles tried to convince people was like a crying Mary Magdalene sort of thing. It was a doll that they’d stolen from a second-hand clothes shop and they were using it to make money.
‘Another hilarious story that springs to mind is when they tried to send Butch into orbit, the most unbelievable storyline at that time but we always tried to do it with pathos and believability. It used to make us laugh so much that sometimes it became difficult to get through a scene.’
Belle Dingle star Eden Taylor-Draper reflects:
‘Steve, to me, was the funniest man ever! He was a really weird combination of a father figure, best friend, a standup comedian and a counsellor. He was everything. It really feels like he lives on because all of us have traits of his; our sense of humour or things we bond over, so everyday when we are together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or moment.’
Once inside Wishing Well Cottage, the whole family gathered to raise a glass to the patriarch.
Cain welled up as he presented Lydia (Karen Blick) with a letter from Zak, and Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was upset to hear that he hadn’t composed one for her. Cain explained to his sister that it seemed their dad didn’t realise how imminent his death was.
There was also a note inside of Zak’s wallet detailing the instructions for his send off.
‘In the event of my passing, I, Zak Dingle, want to be buried at home [Wishing Well Cottage] strictly within 48 hours of my passing’ it read.
‘Where I was happiest, not next to Shadrach.’
As everyone laughed, Cain continued to read: ‘[I want] a rowan tree planted at my head, so I’m not bothered by the witches.’
Chas chirped: ‘That’ll be a crack at Nellie.’
Shadrach Dingle was off course Zak’s elder brother, played by actor Andy Devine between 2000 and 2010.
The siblings had a complicated relationship – mostly sparked by the huge revelation that Zak fathered Cain when having an affair with Shadrach’s wife Faith (Gillian Jephcott/Sally Dexter).
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Nellie (Sandra Gough/Maggie Tagney) was Zak’s first wife, and mother to five of his children. She appeared in 1995 and 2000, and spent the intervening years caring for her sick father in Ireland.
As a result, the two grew apart and Zak remarried.
At the end of the episode, everyone raised a glass once again, before agreeing to start preparations for a very difficult day ahead.
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