Emmerdale rules out major Dingle return for Zak’s funeral as legend is making shock comeback
EMMERDALE has ruled out a major Dingle return for Zak’s funeral in tonight’s episode.
The ITV soap is paying tribute to Dingle patriarch Zak after the real-life death of actor Steve Halliwell.
Viewers have watched this week as the family discovered Zak had died while living with granddaughter Debbie in Scotland.
In today’s episode Cain and Sam went to fetch Zak’s body back to Wishing Well for a family funeral.
But they returned with only Zak – with Debbie deciding she couldn’t face attending his funeral.
Moira told her son Matty: “She’s told Cain that she can’t face it.
“She got so close to Zak while he was living there, she wants to remember him in her own way.
“It’s hit her hard. Only now, Cain’s got to sort everything out, like he’s not got enough on his plate.”
With Debbie’s return ruled out – it means there is another Emmerdale legend returning this weeek.
The Sun exclusively revealed how an iconic character would be making their comeback for Zak’s emotional funeral.
Mandy Dingle star Lisa Riley told us: “We filmed Steve’s memorial episode which goes out soon and it’s incredible.
“So so emotional. Tears all round. Really lovely though and for all us Dingles to be there.
“It was emotional to film but there is going to be someone coming from the past who will have repercussions for Mandy and Paddy and Vinnie especially moving forward.”
Most devastating soap deaths
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.
While she wouldn’t be drawn on who the big return is, she did rule out one – actress Adele Silva as Kelly Windsor.
But fans won’t have long to wait with the funeral airing tomorrow from 7am on ITVX.