Emmerdale stars past and present have paid tribute to Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle on the ITV soap for 29 years. The actor died peacefully at a hospice in Leeds at the age of 77, his family confirmed on Friday.
In a statement, his family said: 'He 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.' They thanked staff at St James Hospital and Wheatfield Hospice for their care.
Emmerdale bosses described Halliwell as 'forever synonymous with Emmerdale' and 'the proud defender and head of the Dingle family'. They added: 'Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.'
Lisa Riley, who played his on-screen niece Mandy Dingle, wrote on Instagram: 'My dearest Steve… love you so much you are now finally at peace. Thank you for years of laughter, you were still laughing right up to the end. A LEGEND in my eyes.'
Former co-stars including Kelvin Fletcher, James Hooton, and Adam Thomas also shared tributes. Fletcher called Halliwell 'a man and what a legacy', while Hooton said: 'A soap icon and a great friend has passed away today. Steve Halliwell was the first person I met when I walked through the door into the Emmerdale studios.'
