Emmerdale has continued to set up the imminent off-screen death of beloved character Zak Dingle, following actor Steve Halliwell’s passing last year.

Last month, viewers saw the Dingles discover that the patriarch had been taken ill.

Zak Dingle was played by the late Steve Halliwell

On Friday, Moria Dingle (Natalie J Robb) revealed to Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) that her husband Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) had driven to be with his Uncle Zak amid his health battle.

Having recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour herself, Moira was without the support of her husband earlier in the week when she suffered another seizure.

However, Moria begged Ruby not to tell Cain and his siblings about her latest scare, saying: ‘No he needs to be with Zak, and please don’t tell him, or Caleb and Chas.

‘As soon as he finds this out, he will drive straight home.’

It was announced earlier this year that Zak would be given an on-screen send-off, after Steve died in December at the age of 77, following a short period of illness.

The actor had played the role of Zak between 1994 and 2023, during which time he featured in countless storylines, including the surprise birth of daughter Belle, the revelation that he was behind the attack on Cain Dingle and the death of his son Butch in a bus crash.

His relationship with on-screen wife Lisa, played by Jane Cox, also became beloved by fans, and the pair won praise for their performances after Lisa was killed off in 2019.

Following Lisa’s death and the Covid-19 pandemic, Zak appeared in a recurring capacity, popping up every now and again, with Steve’s final appearance as the character airing in June last year.

Steve’s on-screen son James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle, told ITV’s Loose Women in July that the cast were preparing to film Zak’s farewell.

‘It’s going to be really respectful passing of a really iconic Emmerdale character,’ he said.