Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell has died aged 77.
The soap star, best known for his role as Zak Dingle, died peacefully in a hospice surrounded by his family, ITV announced in a statement.
Steve was the second longest-standing cast member in the hit ITV soap, having joined Emmerdale in 1994.
Steve's family said in a statement: “He fell asleep peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.”
“He had us laughing until the end, the greatest father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.”
“We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days.” He didn't want sadness, just the joy of a life well lived.
Emmerdale's Steve Halliwell dies aged 77: Soap star who played the lovable Zak Dingle dies surrounded by his family
ITV added: “All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones at this very difficult time and we ask that their privacy is respected as they mourn his loss.”
“Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale.” The proud defender and head of the Dingle family.
“Heart and humor in everything he did, it was and is always impossible not to smile when you think of him.”
John Whiston, managing director of Continuing Drama and head of ITV in the North, said: “Steve Halliwell was one of those rare people who was as wonderful off screen as he was on it.”
“To millions of Emmerdale viewers, he was the beefy but cunning 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, undoubtedly the father of the show but also its funny, mischievous uncle. We will miss him very much.'
Steve played the head of the Dingle household in Emmerdale and was involved in several controversial storylines alongside his sometime wife Lisa Dingle.
In 2018, the star had to take five months off work to have a pacemaker fitted after he was hospitalized for major heart surgery.