We must cherish every day

The Dingles have been at the heart of Emmerdale for 30 years, so it will be a moving get together for both cast and viewers when they reunite on screen next week.

-  CHRISTINE SMITH

James Hooton, who plays Sam, and the rest of the clan aren't just saying goodbye to patriarch Zak Dingle.

They are remembering pal Steve Halliwell, who played Zak from 1994 until he died last December, aged 77.

For James, who called Steve his second father, it was particularly poignant-just four months after Steve died, he lost his dad Kenneth, 81, who had Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.

He says: "You just never know when this strange rollercoaster of life will end - it's so important to cherish every day.

"It has been tough losing both Steve and my dad. In many ways, Dad had a lot of similarities with Zak.

"Dad was a man of the land, loved walking and was in some respects more of a Dingle than any of the Dingles!"

As for Steve, James has been trying to focus on their many happy times together. He says: "Steve was such a good friend... he was both a father figure and someone to have fun with. We shared the same humour and were often like teenage kids on set. We also had a lot of philosophical conversations. I've got so many happy memories I will cherish."

Zak's on-screen funeral will also mark the 30th anniversary of the Dingles arrival on the show.

The likes of Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy, Jeff Hordley (Cain) and Lucy Pargeter (Chas) will of course be there.

Next week, viewers will see the family get a shock phone call telling them Zak has passed away in Scotland.