‘He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him,’ read the statement released by his family. ‘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.’

Currently living in Scotland with Debbie (Charley Webb), we heard that he was too unwell to attend his daughter Belle’s (Eden Taylor-Draper) wedding to Tom King (James Chase) but sent his best wishes.

In tonight’s episode, Cain (Jeff Hordley) told Belle that he had heard from Debbie, who was complaining about Zak.

She’d told him that he was becoming breathless and was unwell, and Cain decided it would be best if he visited to check in on him.

Belle was adamant to go instead, wanting to escape the drama surrounding abusive Tom, but Chas (Lucy Pargeter) implored her to stay in the Dales and report her husband to the police.

We know that Emmerdale bosses are planning a send-off for the character, in tribute to Steve who appeared as Zak for the majority of three decades.

Will Cain return with some bad news?