What’s wrong with Emmerdale Zak Dingle actor Steve Halliwell, why was he in hospital and is he coming back to the soap?
The news of hospitalisation was exclusively revealed by The Sun in January 2019
EMMERDALE fans have been left wondering when soap veteran Zak Dingle will be returning to their television screens after taking a prolonged leave of absence from the Dales.
Here's everything you need to know about why actor Steve Halliwell has been away from the show and more importantly...when he will be coming back.
What's wrong with Emmerdale Zak Dingle actor Steve Halliwell and why was he in the hospital?
On January 24, 2019, The Sun Online exclusively revealed that Steve Halliwell was rushed to the hospital for a secret heart operation back in September 2018.
The 64-year-old had to have a pacemaker fitted, which is what forced him to take five months off Emmerdale.
Fans of the show noticed that Zak has been absent from the show since September of last year and had been speculating about what had happened to the character.
Steve, who is from Bury, Lancashire, has played Zak since 1994.
His character was recently embroiled in the Lachlan kidnapping plot, after the killer used Zak’s cabin to keep Rebecca White captive.
Viewers feared that the innocent farmer would get the blame.
Is Zak coming back to the soap?
The star will be making his big return to Emmerdale in February 2019.
He is the soap's second longest serving cast member and has openly thanked the show and his Dingle family for supporting him through his recovery journey.
Talking to The Sun in an exclusive interview, he said: "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.
“Emmerdale have 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.
“Everyone has been so considerate and I know it sounds a bit of a cliche, but we really are one big happy family.”
He added: “I have some great storylines coming up and I can’t wait to get stuck into filming."