Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell has died aged 77 it has been introduced right this moment (Friday December 15). Though his explanation for demise has not been revealed, followers had been more and more involved for his well being lately.
He has not been seen on display for lengthy stretches of time as legendary Zak Dingle. And when he has appeared, he has been principally sitting down trying frail. The cleaning soap even did a storyline earlier this yr the place he confessed to having mobility points.
In actual life, Steve underwent a secret well being battle in 2018 after a mysterious absence from screens.
![](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2023/12/15135657/EMMERDALE_ZAK-400x524.jpg)
Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell dies aged 77
The cleaning soap launched a press release this afternoon confirming the Zak Dingle actor had died “peacefully”. His household additionally shared a transferring tribute.
“He went to sleep, peacefully together with his family members round him,” they mentioned.
“He was making us snort to the top, probably the most superb father and grandfather you might ever want for, household was all the pieces to him. We want to thank the fantastic workers at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for his or her love and kindness in his last days. He didn’t need disappointment, simply to rejoice in a life nicely lived.”
![Steve Halliwell's health battles: head shot of Steve at the British Soap Awards](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2023/12/15143406/BLU_A21846650-scaled-e1702650857613-400x522.jpg)
Steve Halliwell’s well being battle
Steve disappeared from Emmerdale again in 2018 on account of well being considerations. After 5 months off display the actor defined why Zak had actually been lacking. He was rushed to hospital for a life-or-death operation on his coronary heart.
The Solar On-line defined that the Lancashire-born actor had a pacemaker fitted in September 2018, after struggling severe coronary heart issues.
On the time the actor instructed the newspaper’s web site: “I’m again at work in a number of weeks and feeling fitter than ever after having a pacemaker fitted in September.
“It’s achieved me the world of fine and I really feel implausible.”
He went on to say how understanding and “sensible” his employers had been, saying: “Emmerdale has been sensible all through and actually sorted me.
“I did need to spend a while in hospital and it was actually humorous to see all the Dingle clan round my mattress.
“Everybody has been so thoughtful and I do know it sounds a little bit of a cliché, however we actually are one large glad household.”
Steve Halliwell’s psychological well being
Steve was additionally open about his psychological well being battles up to now. He went to rehab in 2003 for alcohol points and took a break from Emmerdale then too.
He spoke to The Mirror in 2014 concerning the battle, saying: “There’s melancholy, consuming and having to battle your method out of conditions.
“I’ve lived all these issues – and extra.”
![Zak Dingle points his finger as he talks seriously](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2023/02/05115535/Emmerdale-Zak1-400x225.png)
Fan fears for Zak Dingle in Emmerdale
Extra just lately, followers had been apprehensive for Steve Halliwell’s well being after seeing him on display. Though Zak had spent a lot of his time staying in Scotland with granddaughter Debbie, he did pop again every so often. Nonetheless, when he was seen on display, he was all the time sitting down.
Again in June it turned clear he was hiding a secret and solely Cain knew about it. Chas questioned them when she realised one thing was happening and Zak instructed her his well being was deteriorating.
Zak’s legs had been taking part in up. Cain solely knew about Zak’s declining well being as a result of he’d discovered him on the ground unable to rise up.
Emmerdale followers have been apprehensive for Zak – and Steve – after this shock well being confession.
One fan wrote: “Zak is getting an increasing number of frail,” adopted by a crying emoji.
One other tweeted: “Poor Zak’s a mere slip of a person in comparison with the beast he was when he first arrived within the village.”
A 3rd viewer commented: “Zak appears extraordinarily ailing,” whereas a fourth agreed: “Zak is getting extra frail. I’m not liking that!”
Months earlier, viewers had additionally famous how poorly he appeared, with a number of commenting: “Zak appears unwell.”
![Lisa and Zak in Emmerdale hold hands and look emotional](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2023/12/15143559/EMMERDALE_ZAK_11-1-400x250.jpg)
Who was Zak Dingle in Emmerdale?
Zak Dingle was the top of the Dingle clan. He was the daddy to Nathan, Butch, Ben, Cain, Sam, Tina and Belle.
His first spouse was Nellie Lynch, however his true soulmate was Lisa Clegg who he married in 1998. Lisa gave beginning to Belle the identical yr, unaware she was pregnant.
In the meantime Zak’s son Cain was born after Zak had an affair with Religion Dingle, Zak’s sister-in-law who was married to his brother Shadrach.
And his dishonest sample continued when in 2015, Belle was livid to seek out out Zak had been having an affair with their lodger Joanie Wright.
Zak and Lisa divorced in 2016 and the identical yr he married Joanie. However their marriage didn’t final as she ended their relationship just some months later when Zak didn’t need to transfer away from the village.
In December 2016, Joanie was sentenced to a month in jail after assaulting a police officer. In January 2017, Lisa went to select her up however she went into cardiac arrest and died within the van.
Ultimately Zak and Lisa reconciled. In 2018, the couple went to Scotland the place they found Lisa was terminally ailing. Lisa and Zak returned to the village in 2019 and revealed that Lisa had a situation referred to as amyloidosis.
Zak proposed to Lisa and the couple acquired married just some days later. Nonetheless in the course of the wedding ceremony, Lisa returned to Wishing Nicely cottage the place she died. The Dingle household – particularly Zak – have been devastated by her demise.
Emmerdale normally airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an hour episode on Thursdays.
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