Inside tragic health battles of Emmerdale legend Steve Halliwell as Zak Dingle star faced rehab and heart surgery
EMMERDALE icon Steve Halliwell has tragically died age 77 after tragic health battles.
The actor, who played Zak Dingle, had been a part of life in the Dales since October, 1994, and was a prominent member of the show.
His family confirmed he died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
They said: "He was making us laugh to the end.
"The most amazing 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 the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn't want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived."
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Emmerdale paid tribute to Steve, who also starred in popular soaps Cracker, Heartbeat and Coronation Street.
They said: "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that Emmerdale can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.
"All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we’d request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss.
"Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family. Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him."
The much loved actor had been candid about his struggles with depression and mental health in the past.
In 2003 he admitted himself to rehab to help tackle his issues with alcohol and stepped away from Emmerdale for a brief period.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2014, Halliwell openly spoke about his health journey and said: “There's depression, drinking and having to fight your way out of situations.
"I've lived all those things – and more.”
Despite recovering from his problems with alcohol, past periods of heavy drinking resulted in need for heart surgery in 2018.
He had to take another break from filming the soap to have a pacemaker fitted.
Steve spoke to The Sun after his emergency surgery and said: “I'm back at work in a few weeks and feeling fitter than ever after having a pacemaker fitted in September.
“It’s done me the world of good and I feel fantastic.
“Emmerdale have been brilliant throughout and really looked after me.
“I did have to spend some time in hospital and it was really funny to see the entire Dingle clan around my bed.
“Everyone has been so considerate and I know it sounds a bit of a cliche, but we really are one big happy family.”
Meanwhile, in his tell-all book titled If The Cap Fits: My Rocky Road to Emmerdale, the star shared stories from his difficult past.
He discussed how police had arrested him for sleeping rough in an empty government building in London.
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John Whiston, managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the north, said: "Steve Halliwell was one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on.
"To millions of Emmerdale viewers he was the brawny but crafty 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, the undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle. We will miss him enormously."
