Emmerdale fans heap praise on 'beautiful' Zak Dingle death sequence

Viewers of Emmerdale were moved to tears during last night's episode as Cain Dingle (played by Jeff Hordley) traveled through the village, informing his family about the passing of Zak (portrayed by Steve Halliwell).

On Monday, Cain came back from Scotland, where he had spent a few days visiting Debbie (Charley Webb) and checking in on his ill father.

Just as he was about to take a shower, Moira (Natalie J Robb) received a call from Debbie, who broke the news about Zak's death.

Yesterday, Cain decided it was time to inform the rest of the Dingles about Zak, and he shared this with his wife. Moira expressed some concern about the weight of this responsibility on him, but Cain insisted that it was important for him to convey the news himself.

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Cain made his way to Wishing Well and waited for Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) and Sam (James Hooton) to come back from the woods. What happened next was a heartfelt moment as Cain spoke with Sarah (Katie Hill), Chas (Lucy Pargeter), Marlon (Mark Charnock), Mandy (Lisa Riley), and Charity (Emma Atkins) to share the news.

Among all the events that unfolded in last night’s episode, this particular moment resonated deeply with Emmerdale fans.

The visuals were shown without any audio, and to enhance the emotional impact, a moving track titled "Berlin Song" by Ludovico Einaudi accompanied the scenes.

On the social media platform X, fans of the ITV soap shared their reactions to the impactful scene.

"I haven't felt this emotional while watching #Emmerdale in a long time, but tonight really took it to another level. Cain has been incredible ???? Rest in peace, Zac the head Dingle,” commented one viewer.

In a similar vein, another viewer shared: “Watching Cain in tears has really hit me hard. I’m not crying, you are! #emmerdale.”

At the conclusion of last night's episode, the Dingles and the locals came together to bid farewell to Sam and Cain as they set off on their trip to Scotland.

They will retrieve Zak’s body and head back home, prepared for his funeral in the Dales.

Emmerdale Cast Honors Steve Halliwell And Zak Dingle

Jeff Hordley, known for his role as Cain Dingle, shares his thoughts on shooting the funeral episode.

The film features some truly moving scenes. During the shoot, we were all dedicated to bringing the script to life. However, when the cameras weren't rolling, we also took the time to share some laughs, which I know Steve would have appreciated because he loved enjoying a good joke off-screen.

Whenever we come together as a team, we prioritize having a great time while filming. I'm conveying that the atmosphere wasn’t just gloomy; we were actively ensuring that we enjoyed ourselves, and Steve would have loved it that way.

Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, mentioned:

For us, as the Dingle family, the most exciting aspect of the production process was how everything came together. Laura Shaw, our producer, has known us for years and has seen us grow up. Then there's Peter Kerry, who wrote the script and was part of the original development team for the Dingles long ago. And we can't forget Jeff Naylor, our director, who directed the very first episode featuring Steve Halliwell and Zak! With all these connections, it creates such a sense of nostalgia for us. Overall, it was a tremendous blessing, and we're truly delighted with how everything unfolded.

When you consider Steve Halliwell and his role as Zak, music instantly comes to mind. The team has cleverly woven his musical passion into this episode, showcasing Zak's affection for music and evoking a sense of nostalgia for the audience to enjoy.

Lucy Pargeter, also known as Chas Dingle:

Collaborating with Steve felt like reliving the joy of preschool each day. I can't recall a single moment where things felt serious or where he ever lost his temper. When I was with Steve, it never seemed like a typical workday; it was more like having your favorite teacher in the room who encouraged everyone to simply enjoy themselves!

James Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle:

I have countless fond memories of Zak. I particularly enjoyed the absurd and outrageous things we got up to in the 90s. One standout moment was when the Dingles tried to promote a crying Elvis doll as if it were a weeping Mary Magdalene. They had swiped it from a thrift store and were trying to cash in on it.

One funny memory that comes to mind is when they attempted to launch Butch into space. It was such an outrageous concept back then, but we always aimed to present it in a way that was both heartfelt and convincing. We found it so amusing that, at times, it was hard to keep a straight face and finish a scene.

Eden Taylor-Draper, who plays Belle Dingle, shares her thoughts:

To me, Steve was the most hilarious person around! He was such an unusual mix of a dad, best buddy, stand-up comic, and mentor all rolled into one. He truly embodied so many roles. It genuinely feels like he continues to live on through us, as we each carry bits of his personality—whether it's our shared sense of humor or common interests. So, whenever we gather, it seems like Steve is still there, part of the discussions or moments we share.

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As the Dingles come together to honor the cherished memories of a dear one, they will be taken aback by the unexpected arrival of someone who used to live there.

Eden Taylor-Draper described Steve as the funniest person she had ever known. She found him to be an unusual mix of a fatherly presence, a close friend, a stand-up comic, and a counselor.

"He meant the world to us. It truly seems like he’s still with us because each of us carries a piece of him—whether it’s our shared sense of humor or the things that bring us together. So, every time we're together, it feels as though Steve is still present in our discussions and experiences."

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