Steve Halliwell was upset when Jane Cox decided to leave 'Emmerdale'.
Steve Halliwell
The 73-year-old actor - who has played Zak Dingle on the ITV soap since 1994 - admitted it has been tough getting ready to say goodbye to his on screen partner Lisa after so long.
He told Inside Soap: "Well, I was sad - but I know Jane very well, and I knew there were other things that she needed to do, other than do what we've done together for 20-odd years.
"So yes I was sad initially, although as she's my friend in real life, I knew it might be on the way. So it came gently, rather than as a sudden shock."
While the lead-up to Lisa's death - following her amyloidosis diagnosis - has been heartbreaking for viewers, there will be a more positive but still emotional moment when she marries Zak for a second time.
Asked if he's pleased the couple are going to exchange their vows again, Steve said: "I am. I was disappointed when Zak had the affair with Joanie [Wright], although it made a good story.
"There was something about Zak and Lisa that I felt should remain solid. But that's not for me to decide, so you do the story and the scenes as best you can.
"For me, Zak and Lisa getting remarried has been a long time coming."
And the soap star revealed there will be some "fun Times" for the Dingle family before Lisa's tragic death.
He added: "There are fun times together before the tragedy happens. It's not all doom and gloom from day one.
"The Dingle family has found out that Lisa's ill and she's going to die, but you can't just stop living."
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