Emmerdale viewers were gobsmacked after spotting a ‘long-lost identical twin’ of Zak Dingle making an appearance on the show.
Soap icon Zak (played by Steve Halliwell), who first graced our screens in 1994, was killed off-screen last month. Off the telly, actor Steve sadly passed away in December at the ripe age of 77.
With Zak having moved to Scotland, his sons Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Sam (James Hooton) trekked up north to retrieve his body and bring him back to the village.
The emotional farewell to Zak unfolded a few weeks ago, complete with a tear-jerking funeral. Not only that, but Zak’s Tina Dingle (Samantha Power) popped up too, after a whopping 28 years since she last set foot in the Dales.
(Image: ITV)
Zak’s passing has certainly sent shockwaves through the Dingle household, given he was the patriarch of the pack. But during Thursday’s episode (October 31), fans were left utterly flabbergasted when they clocked a doppelganger of Zak Dingle, reports Leeds Live.
In the scene, Charity (Emma Atkins) was nattering to Ross (Mike Parr) about their kiddo Moses, but viewers couldn’t help but be sidetracked. In the backdrop, there was an extra who was the dead spit of Zak. Fans are now buzzing, suggesting he could be Zak’s long-lost bro or even his twin.
A snap of the Zak-alike was shared on an Emmerdale Facebook fan group, prompting one fan to exclaim: “Zack’s back!!” In the comments, another was quick to add: “Omg I thought it was him too for a split second.” And a third joined in, saying: “I thought that when I was watching it.”
(Image: ITV)
Fans were left shocked when a new character appeared on Emmerdale, prompting theories to swirl that he might be Zak Dingle’s long-lost relative. “It’s Zak’s estranged twin brother…” suggested one viewer, with another chiming in: “Don’t give them any ideas! ” And a third joked: “It will be Emmerdale’s next storyline, you watch.”
Steve Halliwell, who played the iconic role of Zak since October 1994, sadly passed away last year. Originally intended as a temporary character, Zak became a cornerstone of the Dingle family and an emblematic figure in the village.
(Image: ITV)
Emmerdale’s production team confirmed with immense sorrow: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.”
Continuing, they shared their sympathies, “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.”
The team added a touching tribute, stating, “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.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
