STEVE Halliwell played Zak Dingle on Emmerdale for decades, first joining the show in 1994.
Sadly, Steve passed away in December 2023 which left the Emmerdale writers scratching their heads about how to best pay tribute to him.
The soap has launched Zak’s farewell storyline, but there’s much more to Steve than his appearance on one of ITV’s flagship shows.
Here’s everything you need to know about Steve Halliwell.
Stockport beginnings
Steve was born on March 19, 1946, in Stockport and his love for acting blossomed early.
He was a founding member of the Interchange Theatre in Bury and trained as an actor at the Mountview Theatre School.
When he was young, Steve was arrested for sleeping rough in a government building in London and spent two weeks in a Ashford, a prison in Kent.
Becoming Zak Dingle
Steve starred in some of the biggest shows on British TV, before starring on Emmerdale.
During the first two decades of his career, he appeared in Coronation Street, the comedy series Cracker and the police drama Heartbeat.
Then, Steve donned Zak’s iconic cap in 1994 and became one of Emmerdale’s longest running cast members.
On the show, Zak had his fair share of shocking plot lines that included a battle with testicular cancer, a vicious attack on his son, a cheating scandal and the death of his wife.
Throughout all of his struggles, Zak was supported by his family, the Dingles.
Alongside his Emmerdale co-stars Billy Hartman and Alun Lewis, he was a member of the country rock trio The Woolpackers.
Their track Hillbilly Rock Hillbilly Roll reached the number five spot on the UK singles chart and stayed in the top 20 for nine weeks, in 1996.
Married life
Steve had his first child with an unnamed partner when he was a student, but the couple chose to give up their daughter for adoption.
He married his childhood sweetheart Susan Woods in 1972 but the marriage sadly ended in divorce.
The Emmerdale actor then married Valerie Kirkby in 1984 and the couple welcomed their daughter Charlotte that same year.
Steve has been open about his battle with depression, which was a big contributor to his struggle with alcoholism.
Health battle
In 2018, a heart condition forced Steve to leave Emmerdale for five months to have a pacemaker fitted.
He exclusively told The Sun about his recovery.
Steve said: “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.
“Emmerdale have been brilliant throughout and really looked after me.
“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.”
Sadly, Steve passed away on March 19, 1946, as a result of his heart condition.
ITV announced that his funeral will become a major plotline on Emmerdale and shared images of his on-screen family paying tribute to him.
