Emmerdale Zak Dingle’s 'long-lost identical twin' makes debut in village

Emmerdale Zak Dingle’s “long-lost identical twin” made his debut in the village last week leaving viewers of the show shocked.

It comes as members of the Dingle clan mourned their patriarch who sadly passed away while living in Scotland.

The actor who portrayed Zak since 1994 died last December, but his character remained alive off-screen until recently.

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When Zak’s death was shared with his family, his sons Cain, played by Jeff Hordley, and Sam, played by James Hooton, journeyed to Scotland to retrieve his body. Upon their return home, they held his funeral.

However, not long afterwards fans of the show were left stunned when they spotted Zak’s doppelganger in the background of an episode last week on Thursday, 31 October.

Charity, played by Emma Atkins, was speaking with Ross, played by Michael Parr, in a scene, but it was a man enjoying himself behind them that caught people’s attention.

They couldn’t get over how much he looked like Zak, with the extra even wearing a similar jacket and hat to the late Dingle. But it was his hair and grey beard that sealed the comparisons.

Taking to an Emmerdale Facebook fan page, one viewer of the soap shared a snapshot of the extra, writing: “Zack’s back!!”

People rushed to the comments to share their surprise at the resemblance. They said: “Omg I thought it was him too for a split second.”

A third soap lover shared: “I thought that when I was watching it.”

A fourth commenter added: “It’s Zak’s estranged twin brother…”

With another person writing: “Don’t give them ideas any ideas!” As a third quipped: “It will be Emmerdale’s next storyline, you watch.”

The soap legend joined Emmerdale in 1994 and remained on the show until his passing. However, his TV appearances became more sparse in his final few years on the show.

Steve was 77 years old when he passed away on 15 December 2023.

A statement from his family at the time said: “He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him. He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him. We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn't want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well lived.”