The Emmerdale cast and crew were left heartbroken last week, following the sad news of Steve Halliwell's passing. Steve, who played Zak Dingle on the ITV soap, was a beloved figure both on and off screen.

Sharon Marshall, a This Morning star and former Emmerdale script writer, shared her memories of Steve on the show. She described him as "the father" of the soap and paid tribute to his wonderful character.

Steve's death was announced last Friday, leaving fans of the soap deeply saddened. The actor died at home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 77. He had been part of the Emmerdale family for 29 years.

Sharon shared a video montage of Steve's best moments on the soap, praising him as a "wonderful" friend to the cast. She revealed that his loss had deeply affected everyone on set.

She said: "I couldn't do any tribute to a soap year without paying tribute to a wonderful man, Dales legend Steve Halliwell who sadly passed away last week. He was our father of the show, a beloved father and grandfather in real life.

"I had to do a tribute to him. Let's end with that, our Steve, our Zak. Let's look at his finest moments bless him."

After her tribute, host Josie Gibson called Steve a "lovely" man, while co-host Craig Doyle added: "Rest in peace, Steve."

Josie asked if the cast were okay, saying they must have been "rocked" by the sad news. Sharon replied: "Absolutely devastated, everyone was just so rocked by it. Such a lovely man."

The soap paid tribute to Steve, who played Zak Dingle, at the start and end of Monday's episode. The ITV voiceover said: "Tonight's episode of Emmerdale is dedicated to Steve Halliwell who played Zak Dingle."

And as the credits rolled, there was a message that read: "Dedicated to Steve Halliwel,", with a picture of him.

ITV shared their sadness about Steve's passing on Friday, commenting: "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."

They added: "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."

His family shared: "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."

Don't forget, Emmerdale is on every weekday at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an extra-long episode on Thursdays.

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