Emmerdale legend Steve Halliwell, famed for his role as Zak Dingle, passed away aged 77 in December, leaving behind a £63,000 fortune in his will.
The soap veteran, who graced the ITV show for three decades, bequeathed his estate to his wife Valerie and daughter Charlotte, 40.
The Sun reports that Halliwell, who joined Emmerdale in 1994 and remained until his death, could have raked in up to £200,000 annually, with top soap stars pocketing around £2,000 an episode. Steve clocked up nearly 2,500 appearances as the iconic Zak Dingle.
Emmerdale bosses are set to honour the actor with a touching on-screen send-off later this year.
Sophie Roper, Emmerdale producer, shared with The Mirror last July: “The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now, and will continue to be so,” reports the Express. “We lost Steve recently, so we’re going to be marking Zak’s passing in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.
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“It will be very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and obviously a lot of our viewers who have grown and love Zak for many, many years – but it will be a hugely fitting tribute for a great character.”
In a statement released in December 2023, Emmerdale expressed its profound sorrow over Steve’s death.
An Emmerdale spokesperson stated: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.”
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“All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we’d request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss. Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family. Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.”
John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama, added to the tributes: “Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on. To millions of Emmerdale viewers, he was the brawny but crafty Dingle patriarch who led the clan with a strong fist and a warm heart.”
“To everyone who worked on Emmerdale, he was a much-loved friend and colleague, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
