Emmerdale actor Steve Halliwell who played Zak Dingle has died aged 77

Emmerdale actor Steve Halliwell who played Zak Dingle has sadly died aged 77

The actor played Zak Dingle in the soap opera for almost three decades and was nominated in the 2002 British Soap Awards and was nominated again for the same award in 2007.

Halliwell’s most memorable moment was the bare knuckle fight with Ned Glover in which he lost, it was then an feud was started between Zaks family and the McAllister’s which did not turn out well however brought serious drama to episodes of Emmerdale that fans loved.

In a statement, his family said: “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 paid tribute to staff at St James’s Hospital in Leeds and Wheatfield Hospice “for their love and kindness in his final days”.

Steve Halliwell died peacefully with his family around him.

Picture: Steve Halliwell via Youtube