Emmerdale legend who starred in soap for nearly 30 years leaves £63k in his will

Known for his flat cap, wellies and wax jacket the pig farmer featured in a number of dramatic storylines

EMMERDALE star Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle for 29 years, left £63,030 in his will.

The veteran actor died in December aged 77.

Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle for 29 years, left £63,030 in his will
Emmerdale star Steve Halliwell, who played Zak Dingle for 29 years, left £63,030 in his willCredit: Rex
The actor - pictured here with on screen wife Lisa Dingle, played by Jane Cox - died in December aged 77
The actor – pictured here with on screen wife Lisa Dingle, played by Jane Cox – died in December aged 77

He was in the ITV soap from 1994 up until his death, earning up to £200,000 a year.

Stars of the soap reportedly got up to £2,000 per episode.

He was in Emmerdale from 1994 up until his death – a total of 29 years.

But probate documents reveal the net value of his estate was just £63,030.

He was also living at the St Helenas Caravan Park in Horsforth, near Leeds, West Yorkshire when he wrote his will in November 2019.

His address when he died was the Black Horse Hotel in the nearby village of Otley.

In it he left all the proceeds from his decades as an actor including future royalties to widow Valerie – his second wife – and daughter Charlotte, 40.

Halliwell married Valerie in 1984 – the same year Charlotte was born. – before he found fame on Emmerdale.

He’d previously been married to Susan Woods.

Halliwell and Valerie are said to have split in the 90s before reconciling.

He battled alcoholism and depression during his life.

The actor also said he had never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but thought he may be a sufferer.

He documented his experiences in his autobiography If the Cap Fits: My Rocky Road to Emmerdale.

His role as Zak Dingle was only meant to be temporary but he became an integral character on the long-running serial drama after winning over viewers and producers.

Known for his flat cap, wellies and wax jacket the pig farmer featured in a number of dramatic storylines, including divorcing his first wife Nellie, played by Sandra Gough, and later marrying Lisa, portrayed by Jane Cox.

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