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Emmerdale celebrates 30 years of the Dingles as iconic soap family take centre stage next week
Bosses have worked to come up with the perfect send off for soap icon Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle
EMMERDALE is set to celebrate 30 years of the Dingles as the iconic soap family take centre stage next week.
The Dingle family first appeared in the ITV soap in 1994.
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Since then, Emmerdale's largest family, with 11 generations of known family members, have had their fair share of drama, causing chaos as soaps' most garish and close knit family.
Thirty years later, the Dingles are saying farewell to their patriarch Zak, following the real life death of actor Steve Halliwell.
Steve passed away in December last year aged 77, leaving his co-stars and on-screen family bereft.
Now it's finally time for the Dingles to deal with the bereavement in the fictional Yorkshire village.
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Despite their sadness, the Dingle family are doing what they do best, pulling together, and next week will see all of the family members play a keep part in celebrating Zak - and Steve - the best way they know how.
The week starts with Moira, who has a seizure whilst cooking breakfast. She receives news of an available operation slot the next day.
Cain returns home unexpectedly and Moira avoids telling him her operation news.
As Cain goes for a shower Moira answers a call from Debbie - revealing the tragic news Zak has passed away.
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Cain informs the family about Zak's death - it’s a sad day for the Dingles and the village at large.
The bereft family take comfort in being with each other and soon Cain and Sam find Belle outside and the trio reminisce about their father, all knocked for six by his passing.
Steve Halliwell's poignant and funny final Emmerdale scene as actor passes away at 77
Soon the villagers gather on Main Street to wave Sam and Cain off as they poignantly leave for Scotland to bring Zak home.
Thanks to Chas the Woolpack becomes a space for mourning.
Meanwhile Matty questions Moira's decision to delay her operation.
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Later at Wishing Well, the Dingles gather and raise a glass to Zak’s memory.
On the day of the funeral, a long-lost relative appears at the graveside, shocking the family. But who is it?
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Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
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