Emmerdale fans were left heartbroken and confused as the show failed to air a tribute to soap legend Steve Halliwell, after his tragic death was announced on Friday 15 December.

At the end of the first episode to air since Steve passed away “peacefully with his loved ones around him” at the age of 77, the ITV soap failed to share a special memorial in honour of his 29 years on the soap, something which is usually customarry following the death of a cast member.

Without even a credit card in memoriam hitting out screens, fans couldn’t hide their emotions as they took to social media to express their sorrow at the loss of the second longest serving cast member on the show, that had been a staple of Emmerdale life for three decades.

One fan wrote: "Why no tribute to Steve Halliwell tonight? Not even a mention. Seems a bit disrespectful."

A second fan agreed, adding: "It's a bit surprising there was no Tribute to Steve Halliwell at the end of the episode tbh."

Before a third fan commented: "Not even a voiceover tribute to #SteveHalliwell, a man who gave nearly 30 years of his life to #Emmerdale. @ITV are trash."

And a fourth fan echoed: "I’m really Annoyed with ITV for not making a tribute to Steve Halliwell aka Zak Dingle #Emmerdale That’s so Disrespectful."

However, as one fan soon pointed out, a tribute message would be more likely to follow Monday's episode as they explained: "Emmerdale editors likely would not have had time to include a tribute into tonight’s episode as it would have already been ready to broadcast at time of the announcement of his passing. There will quite likely be a tribute on Monday’s episode."

Steve first joined the show back in October 1994 when he starred as Zak Dingle, the iconic patriarch of the Dingle family who more often than not, found himself at the heart of several lighthearted storylines.

However during his tenure, Steve was also able to flex his acting chops to show a more serious side too, with several of his later storylines packing a real emotional punch, such as the death of his on-screen wife Lisa Dingle.

In addition to his work on Emmerdale, Steve also starred in numerous other ITV shows over the years including Cracker, Heartbeat and even rival soap Coronation Street.

He last made his appearance on screen back in June 2023 for a series of special episodes that centred on the highs and lows of Dingle family life, before being noticeably absent in more recent weeks.

In a statement today announcing his death to fans, ITV 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."

Meanwhile his family added: "He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him. 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."

Source: Read Full Article