ITV Emmerdale tonight as Zak Dingle makes last request to heartbroken family
Emmerdale star Zak Dingle has made one last request to his heartbroken family as letters he wrote prior to his death were revealed in Wednesday night's episode.
Steve Halliwell's beloved portrayal of character Zak passed away on the show as his funeral scenes set to broadcast later this week. Actor Steve, who played the Dingle patriarch for almost two decades, died in December last year at the age of 77.
Following Zak's off-screen death, Emmerdale writers have crafted a poignant exit storyline for him. Zak had been referenced in recent episodes as residing in Scotland with his granddaughter Debbie, played by Charley Webb. The village was struck by grief when news of Zak's death emerged. In the episode that aired on Monday (October 14), Moira, portrayed by Natalie J. Robb, broke the sad news to her husband Cain, played by Jeff Hordley.
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Cain took on the sombre task of informing other villagers about his father's death. The emotional revelations were set against a backdrop of piano music as Cain spoke to Charity (Emma Atkins), Chas (Lucy Pargeter), Marlon (Mark Charnock), and Mandy, played by Lisa Riley.
In scenes set to air tonight (Wednesday, October, 16) the grieving family come together in emotional scenes as Cain reads out his dad's final request.
A visibly emotional Cain reads: "In the event of my passing, I, Zak Dingle", he then closes the letter and says: "he says he wants to be buried here, at home, strictly within 48 hours of his passing." Marlon responds: "As in outside?" and Chas says: "course he does" as she smiles during a moment of reflection.
Cain continues to read the letter, he says: "Where I was happiest, and then this is in capitals, not next to Shadrach." The family all laugh knowingly. Cain continues: "With a rowan tree planted by my head so I'm not bothered by the witches" before Chas says: "That will be a crack at Nelly!"
The family are in floods of tears as Cain finishes reading the letter. He continues: "And this is double underlined, no vicar, no god, no tears and then drum me through the village one last time before you take me home. Then there's to be music, whiskey and dancing till dawn, the party to end all parties."
Marlon smirks: "I think we can manage that", while Belle has other concerns, she says: "I don't want him to be on his own so I'll stop up with him tonight", Chas pats her knee reassuringly and says: "We all will."
Cain declares: "I want us all ready by midday tomorrow, then we can bury dad the way he wanted, the way he lived." Before he proposes a toast to the Dingles and says: "We are going to raise merry hell."