Emmerdale fans shocked as soap fails to pay TV tribute to Steve Halliwell after death
Emmerdale's Zak Dingle star Steve Halliwell has sadly passed away at the age of 77 - but fans wondered why the ITV soap didn't pay tribute to him in the latest episode
Emmerdale fans have been left confused as the soap failed to include a tribute to Steve Halliwell.
The iconic actor, who played Zak Dingle, recently passed away at the age of 77 after numerous health battles. His family confirmed on Friday (November 15): “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. We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn’t want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived.”
Following his death, fans were expecting to watch a tribute to the late actor at the end of Friday’s episode (December 15). However, there was not one.
A third penned: “Very surprised there was no tribute but it was only announced today. Maybe Monday. Even without a tribute it’s easy to see how much Emmerdale loved him.” Another wrote: “Shocked that there was no tribute to Steve at the end of.”
A fifth argued that the soap might not have had time to put a tribute together. They said: “The sad news about the passing of Steve Halliwell was announced earlier today. This means they didn’t have time to edit a tribute into tonight’s episode as it would have already been ready to broadcast. A tribute will likely come on Monday.”
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Steve was unwell for some time, taking a soap break in 2018 while he had a pacemaker fitted to treat heart problems. He told The Sun: “I’m back at work in a few weeks and feeling fitter than ever after having a pacemaker fitted in September. It’s done me the world of good and I feel fantastic.”
He added at the time: “I did have to spend some time in hospital and it was really funny to see the entire Dingle clan around my bed. Everyone has been so considerate and I know it sounds a bit of a cliche, but we really are one big happy family.”
