Star behind Dales rogue Zak Dingle dies aged 77

Tributes paid to soap favourite Steve

- LUCY THORNTON

EMMERDALE'S Steve Halliwell, hailed as "the father of the show" after playing Zak Dingle for 29 years, has died aged 77.

The actor's family said he passed away "peacefully with his loved ones around him" and that he had been "making us laugh to the end".

ITV said in a statement: "Steve will forever be synonymous with Emmerdale. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family.

HUMOUR

"Heart and humour in all he did, it always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him."

Steve's family said in a statement: "He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for. Family was everything to him."

They thanked the "wonderful staff" at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice in Leeds for their "love and kindness in his final days".

And Steve's daughter Lottie paid a heartbreaking tribute to her amazing dad" and told how she had held his hand as he died.