Zak Dingle

Zak Dingle is a fictional character and central protagonist of the British Soap Opera Emmerdale, debuting on 20th October 1994 and becoming one of the show's primary characters up until his last appearance on 27th June 2023 following the death of his portrayer. 
The character was portrayed by .
==Biography==
Zak Dingle first came to Emmerdale in late October 1994 along with his newly-arrived family - The Dingles.
From then onwards, Zak established himself and his family in the village. The family became sworn enemies with the rival Tate Family when their patriarch, Frank, planned to evict them from their home. The Dingles rallied support from the community as Zak prepared to defend his home from Frank and the opposition. This worked successfully as Zak's campaign ended with Frank relenting in letting the Dingles stay in their home.
Upon arrival in 1994, Zak's family originally consisted of wife Nellie; their daughter Tina; and their sons Butch and Sam respectively. He also had another son called Ben, but unfortunately the latter had died in a fight with Tina's future romantic partner Luke McAllister. Soon enough Zak's marriage with Nellie ended and he later remarried to Lisa Clegg, who later conceived their daughter Belle on Christmas Day 1998.
In 2000, Zak was devastated when Butch is killed in a bus crash. At his funeral, he reunites with his estranged brother Shadrach Dingle when the latter arrives with his wayward offspring Cain and his cousin Charity to attend the ceremony. It then transpired that Cain is actually Zak's son as a result of his past fling with Shadrach's ex-wife Faith Dingle.
Over the next few years, Zak finds himself dealing with various family and personal events. This included helping out his nephew Marlon when the latter's brother Eli blackmails him and his wife Donna Windsor into covering up his shenanigans; bonding with Cain and Charity's daughter Debbie Dingle along with her aunt Chas Dingle as well; mourning for Shadrach's death; comforting Lisa when she is raped by his old friend Derek Benrose; attacking Cain in the "Who Attacked Cain?" storyline; getting sectioned in the aftermath of Cain's attack; being held hostage by Debbie's murderous ex-boyfriend Cameron Murray; and briefly separating from Lisa by having an affair with her friend Joanie Dingle that leads to a short-lived marriage with the latter that ended with her untimely death.
In 2019, Zak is devastated when Lisa dies from a terminal illness in his sleep. It was then he chose to step down as head of the family and appointed Cain as his successor, having done so since 2015 after acknowledging the relationship between them.
==Navigation==
==Trivia==
*Zak Dingle made a total of 2795 appearances throughout his time on the show.
Category:Soap Opera Heroes
Category:TV Show Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Protectors
Category:Supporters
Category:Leaders
Category:Parents
Category:Spouses
Category:Emmerdale Heroes
Category:Determinators
Category:Vengeful
Category:Betrayed