Steve Halliwell: Emmerdale actor dies aged 77

Actor Steve Halliwell, known for his long-running role as Zak Dingle in Emmerdale, has died at the age of 77.

He first made his appearance on the ITV soap in October 1994, and retired from the show 27 years later in 2021.

In a statement, his family said he had passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

"He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for," they said.

ITV drama executive John Whiston said the actor was "one of those rare human beings who was as wonderful off screen as on", and was the "undoubted father of the show, but also its fun mischievous uncle".

Halliwell was born in Lancashire and worked in cotton and paper mills before retraining as an actor.

Between the 1970s and 90s, he appeared in television series including Here I Stand, Heartbeat and Coronation Street, before joining Emmerdale.

He played the head of the Dingle household and became the Yorkshire-based soap's the second longest-serving cast member.

In 2018, Halliwell left the show for five months to have a pacemaker fitted after being diagnosed with a serious heart condition.

The family paid tribute to staff at St James's Hospital in Leeds and Wheatfield Hospice for "their love and kindness in his final days".