Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell’s last social media post is somewhat moving following his death at the age of 77.
The actor, who portrayed Zak Dingle for almost three decades on the ITV soap, died peacefully on Friday (December 15).
Emmerdale shared the sad news last week with ‘deep sadness and a heavy heart’.
‘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,’ read a statement from the long-running serial drama.
‘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.’
Since the news broke fans have been reflecting Steve’s time in Emmerdale as Dingle patriarch Zak, including his final ever scene in the show, in addition to the star’s use of social media.
Steve wasn’t an avid Twitter/X user and he last posted the platform in 2020, with his final tweet seeing him share two breathtaking photos he took on a morning stroll.
‘Pretty morning walking up to seeing clouds in the horizon,’ he captioned the pictures with.’
Following Steve’s death, John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, said: ‘Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on.
Pretty morning walking up to seeing coulds in the horizon 💐 pic.twitter.com/LEI38KgllT
— Steve Halliwell (@SteveHalliwell5) September 9, 2020
‘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.’
