15 December 2023 , 16:46
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Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell struggled with his health over the years, and candidly spoke about his struggles with his mental health.
The 77-year-old soap icon, who played Zak Dingle for almost three decades, passed away peacefully at a hospice in Leeds surrounded by his loved ones. His family confirmed his death in a touching statement on Friday, and Emmerdale bosses paid tribute to the beloved actor as they shared news of his passing with heartbroken fans.
His cause of death has not yet been revealed, but fans of the long-running ITV soap have been increasingly concerned for his health. His final Emmerdale scene aired on 27 June this year, and saw Zak beeping the horn on his mobility scooter as he whizzed through the village. He caught the attention of Dan Spencer at the car garage, who cheekily dubbed him Evel Knievel, and expressed his joy at seeing his neighbour out and about again.
Steve Halliwell passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones (ITV)
The soap star candidly spoke about his health struggles in his memoir (ITV)In 2018, he took a leave of absence from the ITV soap due to health concerns, and he later revealed he had been rushed to hospital for life-saving surgery on his heart. The Lancashire-born actor had a pacemaker fitted after years of serious heart problems, and Steve said he felt “fantastic” following the op.
“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,” he told The Sun at the time. “Emmerdale has 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.”
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He’s also candidly spoken about his mental health battles over the years, and in 2003, he took a break from Emmerdale as he sought help for issues with alcohol. More than 10 years later, he shared details of his depression diagnosis, and admitted drinking made it worse, forcing him to seek treatment. “There’s depression, drinking and having to fight your way out of situations,” he told The Mirror. “I’ve lived all those things – and more.”
Before finding fame on Emmerdale, Steve confessed he had endured a difficult life, and was arrested by police for sleeping rough in an empty government building in London. In his memoir If The Cap Fits: My Rocky Road to Emmerdale, the star recalled being “so hungry and very thin” when he was cast as Zak Dingle on the soap in 1994.