Emmerdale fans in tears as Cain Dingle confirms Zak's death and unexpected moment spotted

There were emotional scenes in Emmerdale as Cain Dingle took on the responsibility of telling his family the tragic news of patriarch Zak's death, following the real-life passing of beloved actor Steve Halliwell in December last year.

Cain was informed himself by wife Moira, after she picked up a call from his daughter Debbie who had been living alongside Zak in Scotland for a number of years.

During the latest visit to the village on Tuesday night (October 15), Cain was taken aback by his father's death, having seen him only hours earlier after his own trip to Aberdeen.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Janette Manrara 'fights tears' as Aljaz Skorjanec also recognises change

In an unusual move for the ITV soap, soft music played as Cain was seen visiting each of his family members in turn, starting with Sam and Belle before later visiting the Woolpack to tell half-sister Chas and Marlon the news.

In the scenes that followed, all of the Dingle family rallied around each other, as they remembered Zak at his Wishing Well home. Chas was unable to stick around and was found sobbing by Dr Liam Cavanagh who joined her on a walk, while Belle was also seen taking a time out as she pondered what was next.

By the end of the episode, Cain and Sam decided to leave the village, but only briefly to bring their father home. They wanted to bring him home to the Dales ahead of his funeral which will air later this week.

But it's fair to say that the episode left viewers in floods of tears, as they said their own farewell to Zak after nearly three decades on screen.

@k_zarahfelicia said: "This has to be the most saddest scene in #Emmerdale to date. Saying goodbye to Zac Dingle! Such a talented actor. Hopefully he’s resting in peace." @chickinjeans commented: "Seeing Cain crying has broken me. I’m not crying you’re crying. #emmerdale." @Spinkzilla wrote: "Such a touching scene. Beautiful. I'm not crying, you are! #emmerdale."

@kellycrumpton94 posted: "I’m absolutely sobbing right now. What makes this even more heartbreaking is these are genuine emotions from the cast. We’ve already lost Steve and now playing Zak’s passing is like losing him all over again #Emmerdale." @Stephan09809230 added: "#emmerdale absolutely heartbreaking episode tonight. Had me sobbing."

Others, meanwhile, were distracted by a moving moment in which Cain sat on the Dingle's iconic sofa to comfort younger sister Belle alongside the family's dog,

@fussyMcWhiskers said: "#Emmerdale Look at the dog patting Belle with his paw because he thinks she's upset." @TwellyWatcher commented: "@emmerdale That was beautiful. Really beautiful. The music, the tears, Belle crying and the dog worried for her. The zoom in on the photo. That was a perfect scene in delivering the news to all of the Dingles #Emmerdale."

@blue_laur11 wrote: "Just watched tonight’s #Emmerdale and my eyes are streaming with tears the piano music when Cain was telling the family about Zak Passing away and the dog touching Belle. Well done to all the cast and crew!" @virtualtrucker1 added: "Seeing the dingles dog pawing at belle and cain that was cute!"