Emmerdale legend who left behind £63k fortune after 30 years on ITV soap

Steve died at 77 in December 2024 (Image: PA)

Emmerdale icon Steve Halliwell, best known for his endearing portrayal of Zak Dingle, left fans devasted when he passed away at the age of 77 in December 2024.

The soap star’s will revealed he left a modest estate worth £63,000 to his widow Valerie and his daughter Charlotte, 40.

During his tenure on the long-standing ITV soap starting in 1994 and spanning nearly 2,500 episodes, reports have suggested that Halliwell's annual income could have reached approximately £200,000, with the show's top stars earning up to £2,000 per episode.

Emmerdale plans to pay homage to the TV icon with a poignant on-screen funeral this year. Sophie Roper, the show's producer, told The Express: "The Dingles have been at the heart of our show for 30 years now, and will continue to be so.

"We lost Steve recently, so we’re going to be marking Zak's passing in the coming months with a Dingle funeral.

The Dingles first appeared on-screen in 1994 (Image: ITV)

She added: "It will be very difficult for a lot of people who work on the show and obviously a lot of our viewers who have grown and love Zak for many, many years - but it will be a hugely fitting tribute for a great character."

In December 2023, Emmerdale released a statement about the iconic soap star’s passing: "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.

"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. 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."

Steve is best known for his endearing portrayal of Zak Dingle (Image: Getty)

John Whiston, Managing Director of Continuing Drama, also shared his condolences, saying: "Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off-screen as on. 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."

The Dingle family first appeared on screens in 1994 and have gone on to become the ITV show’s largest family, with multiple generations of known members.

The news of Zak’s death wass delivered on-screen to his daughter-in-law Moira Dingle in a phone call from his granddaughter Debbie Dingle while his son Cain Dingle was taking a shower

Cain then passed on the announcement to the Dingle family and he reminisced with his siblings Sam and Belle Dingle about their father.