Inside Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell's life as soap bids farewell to Zak Dingle

Emmerdale is preparing to bid farewell to the beloved character Zak Dingle this week, following the passing of actor Steve Halliwell.

Steve, who portrayed Zak on the popular Yorkshire-based soap for nearly 30 years, passed away at the age of 77 in December 2023.

The Dingle clan, first introduced to viewers in 1994, has grown to become the largest family on the ITV show, with numerous generations represented. The upcoming episodes will see them reflecting on Zak's life as they grapple with the news of his death.

Steve joined the Emmerdale cast in October 1994 and remained a central figure within the Dingle family. Despite initially being intended as a temporary character, Zak evolved into one of the most recognisable faces in the village.

Off-screen, Steve led a vibrant life, marked by both triumphs and trials that he channeled into his portrayal of Zak. His journey included periods of homelessness and even a stint in prison prior to achieving fame, reports Leeds Live.

Born in Lancashire in March 1946 to parents Jenny and Fred Halliwell, Steve was raised in Bury alongside his older brother Clive, who was two years his senior.

In his early years, Steve trained as an apprentice engineer and held various jobs before enrolling at Mountview Theatre School to pursue his dream of acting.

Before his role on Emmerdale, Steve struggled with alcoholism and depression, which cast a shadow over his life for five decades.

In an open conversation with TV Times, Steve shared his tumultuous past and its parallels to the on-screen drama of his character Zak Dingle: "Everything the Dingles had been through, I had too; trouble with the police, fighting, being evicted. And if there were any aspects of Zak's life I hadn't lived, I knew people