{"id":42000,"date":"2023-12-15T14:48:19","date_gmt":"2023-12-15T13:48:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1945661"},"modified":"2023-12-15T15:45:58","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T14:45:58","slug":"steve-halliwell-who-played-emmerdales-zak-dingle-dies-aged-77","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/steve-halliwell-who-played-emmerdales-zak-dingle-dies-aged-77\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Halliwell, who played Emmerdale\u2019s Zak Dingle, dies aged 77"},"content":{"rendered":"

The actor portrayed Zak between 1994 and the present day. <\/p>

By James Hibbs\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 15 December 2023 at 13:44 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Steve Halliwell, the actor best known for portraying Zak Dingle in Emmerdale<\/a> between 1994 and the present day, has died at the age of 77.<\/p>\n

Halliwell\u2019s Emmerdale character Zak was the head of the Dingle family, and became a key figure and fan-favourite character on the soap over the years.<\/p>\n

The news of Halliwell\u2019s death was confirmed by ITV, with his family saying in a statement: \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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\u2019t want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Steve\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Steve Halliwell.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, John Whiston, managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north, said: \u201cSteve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halliwell was born in Bury, Lancashire in 1946 and had a number of jobs before training in drama at the Mountview Theatre School.<\/p>\n

He went on to appear in series including Cracker, Heartbeat and Coronation Street<\/a>, before starring in Emmerdale.<\/p>\n

After joining the soap, he had two short periods away, one in 2003, during which he spent time at an alcohol rehabilitation centre, and another in 2018, when\u00a0he had heart surgery and a\u00a0pacemaker\u00a0fitted.<\/p>\n

It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away. You can read the full statement here: https:\/\/t.co\/5wtfZAJ46P<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cFRlavTxk6<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Emmerdale (@emmerdale) December 15, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>