Emmerdale stars Karen Blick and Danny Miller, who portray Lydia and Aaron Dingle,

have opened up about the profound impact of their co-star Steve Halliwell’s recent passing.

Steve, who played Zack Dingle, passed away several months ago, and the show is set to honor

his memory with a poignant on-screen funeral that will bring the Dingles even closer together.

In upcoming scenes, viewers will witness an emotional tribute to Zack Dingle, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by the cast and crew. Producer Sophie Roper has shared insights into what fans can expect from this heartfelt farewell. “The Dingles have been central to our show for 30 years, and that will continue,” Roper explained. “Following Steve’s passing, we’ll be marking Zack’s departure with a Dingle funeral. It will be a difficult time for many on the show and for viewers who have cherished Zack for years, but it will serve as a fitting tribute to a beloved character.”

Karen Blick, speaking about the emotional scenes, expressed how deeply the script affected her. “We knew everyone at Emmerdale wanted to honor the iconic character that Steve brought to life as Zack Dingle,” she said. “When I read the script, it moved me to tears. The first few scripts had me in tears, and I believe the audience is in for an emotional but heartwarming tribute to both Steve and Zack.”

Danny Miller also reflected on his relationship with Steve and the significance of the upcoming episodes. “We’ll be addressing Steve Halliwell’s passing in a heartfelt way,” Danny shared. “Zack will once again become central to the show, and the Dingles will come together even more strongly. Emmerdale has always excelled at making the Dingles the heart of the show and representing the audience, and this will be a wonderful way for us to grieve Steve.”

Danny further noted that Steve had a significant impact on him personally. “He was one of the first people I met when I joined Emmerdale. He was a great support and a shoulder to lean on,” he said. As for what’s to come, Danny hinted that the episodes will focus on celebrating Steve’s legacy with a sense of joy rather than dwelling on sadness. “Steve would want us to approach this with some light-heartedness,” he added.

The upcoming tribute episodes promise to be a deeply emotional and fitting farewell to Steve Halliwell, celebrating the character of Zack Dingle and honoring the legacy of a beloved actor.