Emmerdale’s Steve Halliwell hints that Zak could be jilted by Joanie. Will the rejection break him, or see Zak and Lisa reunited?
Emmerdale’s Steve Halliwell explains to Soaplife why Zak is marrying Joanie when just about his whole family is against it. And hints that Joanie jilts him!
Does Zak love Joanie? “Yes, whether he is deeply in love with her or it is just a mad infatuation, I don’t know. I think he probably wishes he’d met Joanie [Denise Black] when he was a bit younger. But he describes Joanie as the woman of his dreams and is excited about marrying her.”
Does he feel bad for Lisa? “Well, he thinks that Lisa [Jane Cox] is coping with the whole thing as she has been kind, not caused problems and even wishes them well. He then finds out she has been crying on Chas’ shoulder and is not dealing with it well, so he tells her that he will always be there for her if she needs him.”
Does Zak have regrets? “I think so. He isn’t comfortable with the idea that he has damaged the family structure. They were so strong, the Dingles, but Zak has broken them.”
And Belle (Eden Taylor-Draper) is ill again… “Zak doesn’t realise this. He is just really thrilled she is going to be a bridesmaid.”
But Cain (Jeff Hordley) and Charity (Emma Atkins) are hostile about his stag do, aren’t they? “Yes. Zak is not happy about it, but consoles himself with the fact that some of the family have come round.”
What happens when Zak accidentally calls Joanie "Lisa"? “Zak doesn’t know what he has done at the time as he’s had a bit to drink. It’s Kerry [Laura Norton] who tells him what he did. He doesn’t remember it at all, but he is worried about how that made Joanie feel.”
What happens on his wedding day? “It is not a particularly big wedding, but a faction of the Dingle family from Southampton appear, which fills the church up a bit more. Sam [James Hooton] keeps them all entertained as they wait for Joanie, who is late.”
Is she going to jilt Zak? “You will have to wait and see.”
Would you like Zak and Lisa to reunite? “Yes. As much as I enjoy working with both of them equally, I would because of a long tradition. Zak and Lisa are a symbol of loyalty and family values – it is what viewers want.”
Emmerdale, ITV
