ITV Emmerdale gives huge Debbie Dingle update as Moira shares surprise news
Emmerdale has aired an update on Debbie Dingle after fans hoped she would return to the village for Zak Dingle's (played by Steve Halliwell) funeral following his tragic death.
The Dingle family are coming together to say goodbye to their much-loved patriarch Zak who died suddenly while at his home in Scotland.
On Monday (October 14), Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) had been visiting his daughter Debbie (Charley Webb) and his dad Zak before returning to the village.
Shortly after arriving home, his wife Moira (Natalie Robb) took a distressing phone call from Debbie who announced Zak had died. Cain was then tasked with telling the family of dad's passing.
As Debbie was the one to confirm her grandfather's death, Emmerdale fans had been left hoping she would be joining her family to say an emotional goodbye to Zak.
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But during Wednesday's episode of the ITV soap (October 16), which is available to stream now on ITVX but will air on ITV1 at 7.30pm, Moira ruled out Debbie's return as she issued an update on her step-daughter.
Following Zak's final wishes, Cain and Sam Dingle (James Hooton) travelled to Scotland to bring his body back to the village to be buried among his family.
As Moira spoke to Cain over the phone, Debbie's intentions were the topic of conversation.
As she hung up the call, Matty Barton (Ash Palmisciano) asked his mum: "Debbie not coming back for the funeral?".
Moira replied: "She's told Cain that she can't face it. She got so close to Zak while he was living there, she wants to remember him in her own way.
"It's hit her hard. Only now, Cain's got to sort everything out, like he's not got enough on his plate."
Debbie first appeared on Christmas Eve in 2002. But in 2019, Charley Webb bowed of the show as Debbie before later returning for a guest stint which ran between late 2020 and early 2021.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX