ITV has released the first look at Zak Dingle’s funeral in Emmerdale next week.
Upcoming episodes of the soap will see the tragic death of Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell) rock the village.
First look images released by Emmerdale show many of the villagers, including the entire Dingle Clan and Zak’s long-time friend Kim Tate, gathered in The Woolpack to mourn him.
In one image, the villagers are gathered around Zak’s wicker coffin and Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) stood close by, raising his pint into the air in what appears to be a touching tribute to his dad.
It seems that many of the other villagers will follow suit, too, as they step up to toast Zak.
Zak lived in Emmerdale from 1994 to 2023, despite being meant to initially only appear in a few episodes.
However, he ended up staying in the Dales for just shy of 30 years before moving away to Scotland.
He has now died off screen following the real-life death of actor Steve.
This sad storyline will kick off during Monday’s episode of the soap as viewers will see Moira Dingle (Natalie J. Robb) receive the devastating news.
Spoilers for the episode confirm that as Cain goes for a shower, Moira answers a call from Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb), who reveals the tragic news Zak has passed away.
In the next episode of the ITV soap, Cain informs the family about Zak’s death.
It’s a sad day for the Dingles and the village at large. The bereft family takes comfort in being with each other.
Soon Cain and Sam (James Hooton) find Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) outside, looking out over the field. The trio reminisce about their late father, knocked for six by Zak’s passing.
The whole village then comes together to mourn as they gather on Main Street to wave Sam and Cain off, as they poignantly leave for Scotland to bring Zak home.
They return later in the week before funeral scenes, which will air continuously across Thursday and Friday’s episodes.
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans – Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry’s fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was “fake”.
Bradley Branning – Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater’s rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre – Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow – despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla’s brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony – then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs – Molly was one of the victims in Corrie’s 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin’s wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly’s side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack’s father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth – Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap’s most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey’s exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman – Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt’s (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance – and marriage – with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 – with the expectation it would result in the character’s death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden – After the family got into financial problems, Sarah’s son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn’t realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers – The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen – The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family’s car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble – but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
But the Dingle family is in for a huge shock on the funeral day as a long-lost relative appears at the graveside.
Actor Steve died on 15 December 2023, following his final appearance in Emmerdale earlier that year.
In July, it was announced that Zak would be killed off in the programme with a funeral as a tribute to the former soap star.
The character has been mentioned frequently by the residents of Emmerdale in the run-up to his death.
