Emmerdale fans have been gripped by the Dingles' recent dramatic storylines and upcoming episodes promise to deliver a poignant twist for the beloved family.
Next week's instalments will see the Dingles grappling with grief as they discover that patriarch Zak Dingle has died, setting the stage for an emotional farewell and the surprise return of a long-lost relative for his funeral.
Steve Halliwell, who portrayed Zak, tragically passed away last December at the age of 77. The actor had been playing the iconic Zak since 1994 and quickly became a beloved figure among viewers. Following Zak's demise, the soap's creators have incorporated a death storyline for the beloved actor and character.
Elsewhere in the village, the ITV drama has put Belle Dingle, portrayed by Eden Taylor-Draper, in the spotlight with a harrowing abuse plot involving Tom King, played by James Chase. Earlier this year, Eden opened up about her character's journey during an interview, which also touched on her tenure with the soap, reports the Mirror.
The 26-year-old actress, who has been a fixture in the Yorkshire-set show since 2005, is gearing up to mark two decades on Emmerdale in 2025. During a recent appearance on Lorraine, stand-in host Christine Lampard quizzed Eden about her impending anniversary and how she plans to celebrate.
Reflecting on her 20 years with Emmerdale, Eden shared her hopes: "I feel like, as the Dingles, we've kind of started this thing where when you get to a big anniversary, you get an engraved bracelet from the Dingles. So I really want, I want that bracelet!
"There's only a few, James [Hooton, who plays Sam Dingle], Jeff [Hordley, who plays Cain Dingle], Jane [Cox, who played Lisa Dingle] had one, so I feel like I want to be in the gang, I'm nearly there!"
The popular ITV soap has been delving into a harrowing coercive control storyline involving Belle this year, with viewers witnessing Tom's isolation and manipulation of his now former partner. In gripping recent episodes, Belle turned herself in to the police after defending herself against Tom with an axe when he attempted to end her life, subsequently reporting his abuse.
Yet, in a chilling move typical of Tom, he has wiped all evidence of his abusive behaviour towards Belle, including erasing surveillance footage that showed him spying on his spouse. As Belle desperately searches for proof to support her claims, a confident Tom is working overtime to convince everyone that Belle is fabricating the abuse and is suffering from a breakdown.
*If you have been affected by this story, you can access free and confidential support from Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and digital support via live chat Monday-Friday 3-10pm. You can also visit the tech safety website to learn more about technology-facilitated abuse.
Emmerdale airs every week night at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.
