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Emmerdale reveals Zak’s last wishes, with digs into two Dingle legends | soaps

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Emmerdale reveals Zak’s last wishes, with digs into two Dingle legends | soaps

Zak Dingle smiling in Emmerdale, outside the Woolpack

Zak’s last wishes have been revealed (Image: ITV/Michael Adams/Metro)

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 returned to Emmerdale ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

Emotions ran 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 boisterous clan!

The pain we see on screen right now certainly comes from the heart, as the cast not only says goodbye to the fictional Zak, but also to actor Steve Halliwell, who died last year.

The news first hit the area earlier in the week when Cain (Jeff Hordley) returned from Scotland where Zak has been living with his daughter Debbie (Charley Webb).

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The Dingles reflect on Wishing Well after Zak's death in Emmerdale

The clan struggled to process the news (Image: ITV)

With Cain back home, he jumped into the shower as his wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) got the bad news over the phone.

He then had the difficult job of visiting everyone to inform them of Zak’s death.

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 that across town, Cain and brother Sam (James Hooton) had traveled to the border to make arrangements.

They were shocked to learn that their father wanted to be buried within 48 hours of his death, so they had to transport his body back to Yorkshire in the back of their trusty old 1987 Renault Trafic van (and rusty).

The press photo of the Dingle family group in Emmerdale

The whole family gathered at the Wishing Well for a toast (Image: ITV)


Emmerdale cast pay tribute to Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle

The press photo of the Dingle family group in Emmerdale

The Dingle family remember Steve Halliwell and Zak Dingle (Image: ITV)

Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley reflects on filming the funeral episode:

“There are some really touching moments. And while we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed. But also off camera, and Steve would have liked that, because Steve always liked to laugh behind the scenes. camera, while we weren’t shooting, we made sure we were laughing too.

“Because when we get together as a group, we make sure it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just unpleasant, we were making sure to laugh, and Steve wouldn’t have wanted that another way

Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley said:

“The best part for us as a Dingle family was the way he went through the production. From Laura (Shaw), our producer, who has known us for years, she grew up with us, and then Peter Kerry, who wrote the script, who was part of the Dingles development team all those years ago, Jeff Naylor, our director, directed the first episode of Steve Halliwell and Zak! thrown into the mix, it’s so nostalgic! So for us, as a family, it was obviously the biggest blessing and we’re so glad it all turned out the way it did.”

“Also, when you think of Steve Halliwell and the character of Zak, you always think of his love of music. So the team brilliantly incorporated his music into this episode. Zak’s love of music and nostalgia are there for viewers to see.’

Lucy Pargeter aka Chas Dingle:

“Working with Steve was like kindergarten fun every day. I don’t remember a day that he was serious or a day that he flew off the handle or was angry about anything. It never felt like a day working with Steve, it was like having your principal in your classroom and just being told, “Let’s all have fun!”‘

James Hooton, star of Sam Dingle:

“I have a lot of bright memories of Zak. I used to like the really silly and amazing things we used to do in the 90s. One memory is of a crying Elvis doll that the Dingles tried to convince people was like a Maria Magdalena crying It was a doll that had been stolen from a thrift store and used to make money.

“Another hilarious story that comes to mind is when they tried to send Butch into orbit, the most incredible story at the time, but we always tried to do it with pathos and believability. It used to make us laugh so hard that sometimes it was difficult to go through a scene”.

Belle Dingle star Eden Taylor-Draper reflects:

“Steve, to me, was the funniest man! He was a really weird combination of a father figure, a best friend, a comedian and a counselor. He was everything. It really feels like he lives for all we have our quirks, our sense of humor or the things we bond over, so every day when we’re together, it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or the moment.

Once inside Wishing Well Cottage, the whole family gathered to raise a glass to the patriarch.

Cain stood up as he presented Lydia (Karen Blick) with a letter from Zak, and Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) was upset to learn he hadn’t composed one for her. Cain explained to his sister that his father didn’t seem to realize how imminent his death was.

There was also a note inside Zak’s wallet detailing instructions for his expulsion.

“In the event of my death, I, Zak Dingle, wish to be buried at home (Wishing Well Cottage) strictly within 48 hours of my death,” it read.

Chas takes a glass of beer from Shadrach in Emmerdale

He asked not to be buried near Shadrach… (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

The Dingles; Sam, Tina, Butch, Nellie and Zak drink at The Woolpack

And for a rowan to warn Nellie, pictured here with Zak, Sam, Tina and Butch (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

“Where I was happiest, not next to Shadrac.”

As everyone laughed, Cain continued reading, “(I want) a rowan tree planted on my head, so I won’t be bothered by witches.”

Chas hissed, “That’ll be a crack for Nellie.”

Shadrach Dingle was, of course, Zak’s older brother, played by actor Andy Devine between 2000 and 2010.

The brothers had a complicated relationship, mostly sparked by the big reveal that Zak was Cain’s father when he had 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 the mother of five of his children. She appeared in 1995 and 2000, and spent the intervening years caring for her ailing father in Ireland.

As a result, the two broke up and Zak remarried.

At the end of the episode, everyone raised a drink again, before agreeing to begin preparations for a very difficult day.

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