Emmerdale confirms why TV legend isn’t at Zak’s funeral | Soaps

Cain Dingle star Jeff Hordley reflects on filming the funeral episode:

“There are really moving moments in this. And while we were filming, we were all focused and giving the script everything it needed. But off camera too – and Steve would have liked that, because Steve always liked to have a laugh behind the camera – while we weren’t filming, we made sure we had a few laughs as well.

‘Because when we come together as a group, we make sure it’s fun to film. What I’m trying to say is that the mood wasn’t just downbeat, we were making sure we were laughing and Steve wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mandy Dingle actress Lisa Riley said:

“The best part for us as the Dingle family was the way it went through production. From Laura (Shaw), our producer, who has known us for years, grown up with us, and then Peter Kerry, who wrote the script, who was part of the Dingles development team years ago. Finally, Jeff Naylor, our director, directed the first episode of Steve Halliwell and Zak! So you have all of that in the mix, it’s so nostalgic! So for us as a family, it was obviously the biggest blessing and we’re so happy that it all turned out this way.’

“Also, when you think of Steve Halliwell and the character Zak, you always think of his love of music. Therefore, the team brilliantly incorporated their music into this episode. Zak’s love of music and nostalgia are all there for viewers to see.

Lucy Pargeter aka Chas Dingle:

‘Working with Steve was fun being at daycare every day. I can’t remember any day that was serious or any day that he lost control or got mad about something. It never felt like a day at work with Steve, it was like having your principal in the classroom and them just saying ‘let’s all have fun!’

Sam Dingle Star James Hooton:

‘I have so many brilliant memories of Zak. I used to like the really silly, unbelievable things we did in the 90s. One memory is of a crying Elvis doll that the Dingles tried to convince people was like some kind of Mary Magdalene crying. It was a doll that they stole from a used clothing store and used to make money.

“Another hilarious story that comes to mind is when they tried to put Butch into orbit, the most unbelievable plot at the time, but we always tried to do it with emotion and believability. It used to make us laugh so much that sometimes it was hard to get through a scene.

Belle Dingle star Eden Taylor-Draper reflects:

‘Steve, to me, was the funniest man ever! He was a very strange combination of father figure, best friend, comedian and advisor. He was everything. It really seems like he’s still alive because we all have his characteristics; our sense of humor or things that we bond over, so every day when we’re together it feels like Steve is still part of the conversation or the moment.’